@article {BF-3488, title = {Muscle activation during the Pack Hike test and a critical wildfire fighting task}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {44}, year = {2013}, month = {2013}, abstract = {The aim of this study was to examine the muscle activation of six global muscles during the successful completion of the Pack Hike test (PHT) and compare this to muscle activations during a critical wildfire fighting task. In-field surface electromyography was recorded from eight male wildfire fighters during the PHT and the rakehoe task {\textendash} a critical wildfire suppression activity. All participants successfully completed the PHT within the 45-min time limit. No significant changes in peak muscle activation levels as well as no significant shifts in median frequency in the six muscle analysed were recorded during the 4.83-km hike. Significantly different peak muscle activation levels were recorded in four of the six muscles tested when the PHT was compared to the rakehoe task. These results suggest the PHT should not be administered in isolation and other tests that specifically challenge upper body muscle endurance should be incorporated into a battery that accurately assesses the job-specific fitness of wildfire fighters. Highlights ► Muscle activity during the Pack Hike test (PHT) and a critical wildfire suppression task were compared. ► No muscle fatigue was detected during the PHT. ► Different muscle activation patterns between the tasks were recorded. ► The PHT may not adequately challenge upper body muscular endurance.}, issn = {00036870}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2012.08.003}, author = {Kevin Netto and Cara Lord and Aaron Petersen and Spelt Janssen, James and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett} } @article {bnh-1784, title = {Cardiovascular Risk Screening Volunteer Firefighters Report}, year = {2012}, month = {08/2012}, abstract = {

Background: The work demands involved in firefighting place significant stress on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the application of the AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire in volunteer Country Fire Brigade (CFA) firefighters.

Methods: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were measured in 3777 CFA firefighters and entered into a modified version of the American Heart Association (AHA)/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire to stratify individuals as low, moderate or high risk.

Results: Just over half (50.8\%) of female and more than two thirds (68.2\%) of male CFA firefighters were classified as moderate risk. The questionnaire further stratified 2.6\% of female and 5.2\% of male CFA firefighters as high risk while the remaining 46.6\% and 26.6\% of female and male firefighters, respectively, were classified as low risk.

Conclusion: The majority of firefighters screened were at moderate risk and therefore, would be advised by AHA/ACSM guidelines to undertake and pass a detailed medical examination and a medically supervised exercise test prior to initiating vigorous intensity physical activity. However, considering the financial and practical implications (e.g., reduced emergency response capacity) the introduction of mandatory screening may cause, fire agencies should focus screening for high risk personnel only, while promoting agency wide CVD health education.

}, isbn = {978-0-9806759-6-2}, author = {Alexander Wolkow and Kevin Netto and Peter Langridge and Jeff Green and Nichols, David and Michael Sergeant and Brad Aisbett} } @article {BF-3097, title = {Identification of physically demanding tasks performed during bushfire suppression by Australian rural firefighters}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {43}, year = {2012}, month = {3/2012}, pages = {435 - 441}, abstract = {Purpose To identify and characterize the physically demanding tasks undertaken during multi-day wildfire (known as bushfire in Australia) suppression by Australian rural firefighters. Methods During semi-structured group interviews, thirty-one experienced male firefighters reviewed 53 firefighting tasks that could be performed during tanker-based bushfire suppression. Participants were asked to nominate the most physically demanding tasks and then define their typical frequencies, durations, operational importance and the dominant actions and activity types in each task. Results Seven tasks were identified as physically demanding. They were further categorized into three hose and four handtool (e.g., rakehoe) related activities. These tasks were assessed as moderately important to critical and were thought to occur less than one up to 700 times in a four-month bushfire {\textquoteleft}season{\textquoteright}. Each task{\textquoteright}s duration was estimated to last approximately 2{\textendash}30 min depending on the task. Dominant actions were carry, drag, dig/rake actions in seven, three and four of the demanding tasks, respectively. {\textquoteleft}Strength-endurance{\textquoteright} was the dominant activity type for five of the seven tasks. Conclusion Seven fireground tasks, three using a hose and four using handtools were classified as physically demanding by incumbent firefighters. The combination of hose and handtool work indicates that the tanker-based bushfire suppression tactics used by Australian rural firefighters appears to be a hybrid of structural and wildfire firefighting techniques and may require a dedicated physiological analyses before the job demands for these firefighters can be quantified.}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.06.018}, author = {Phillips, Matthew and Payne, W and Cara Lord and Kevin Netto and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett} } @article {BF-3143, title = {Validating {\textquoteleft}fit for duty{\textquoteright} tests for Australian volunteer fire fighters suppressing bushfires}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {43}, year = {2012}, month = {1/2012}, pages = {191 - 197}, abstract = {Introduction This study compared fire fighter{\textquoteright}s work-rates and performance between the Pack Hike Test (PHT), Field Walk Test (FWT) and critical bushfire suppression tasks. Methods Nineteen volunteer fire fighters undertook the PHT, whilst a further 11 also performed the FWT. All 30 fire fighters completed four critical tasks. Physical, physiological and subjective ratings were measured during tasks and tests. Results Peak and mean heart rate during the Hose Drag was lower than during the FWT. Mean velocities for the PHT and FWT were higher than in all tasks except Hose Drag. Finishing times in the PHT and FWT were strongly correlated with finishing times for three and four of the critical tasks. Conclusions The PHT and FWT may be valid fit for duty tests for Australian rural fire fighters though the clear differences between the tests and some tasks may prompt fire agencies to consider other tests that more accurately simulate bushfire suppression work.}, issn = {00036870}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.05.003}, author = {Cara Lord and Kevin Netto and Aaron Petersen and Nichols, David and Drain, Jace and Phillips, Matthew and Brad Aisbett} } @proceedings {BF-3050, title = {Frequency, intensity and duration of physical tasks performed by Australian rural firefighters during bushfire suppression}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, publisher = {Bushfire CRC}, address = {Sydney, Australia}, issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3}, url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/resources/pages-205-213-quantitative-task-analyses-bushfire-suppression}, author = {Phillips, Matthew and Kevin Netto and Payne, W and Cara Lord and Neil Brooksbank and Katrina Onus and Sarah Jefferies and Brad Aisbett} } @article {BF-2494, title = {Pack Hike Test finishing time for Australian firefighters: Pass rates and correlates of performance}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {42}, year = {2011}, month = {03/2011}, pages = {411 - 418}, abstract = {The pack hike test (PHT, 4.83 km hike wearing a 20.4-kg load) was devised to determine the job readiness of USA wildland firefighters. This study measured PHT performance in a sample of Australian firefighters who currently perform the PHT (career land management firefighters, LMFF) and those who do not (suburban/regional volunteer firefighters, VFF). The study also investigated the relationships between firefighters{\textquoteright} PHT performance and their performance across a range of fitness tests for both groups. Twenty LMFF and eighteen age-, body mass-, and height-matched VFF attempted the PHT, and a series of muscular endurance, power, strength and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Bivariate correlations between the participants{\textquoteright} PHT finishing time and their performance in a suite of different fitness tests were determined using Pearson{\textquoteright}s product moment correlation coefficient. The mean PHT finishing time for LMFF (42.2 {\textpm} 2.8 min) was 9 {\textpm} 14\% faster (p = 0.001) than for VFF (46.1 {\textpm} 3.6 min). The pass rate (the percentage of participants who completed the PHT in under 45 min) for LMFF (90\%) was greater than that of VFF (39\%, p = 0.001). For LMFF, VO2peak in L min-1(r = -0.66, p = 0.001) and the duration they could sustain a grip {\textquoteleft}force{\textquoteright} of 25 kg (r = -0.69, p = 0.001) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. For VFF, VO2peak in mL kg-1 min-1(r = -0.75, p = 0.002) and the duration they could hold a 1.2-m bar attached to 45.5 kg in a {\textquoteleft}hose spray position{\textquoteright} (r = -0.69, p = 0.004) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. This study shows that PHT fitness-screening could severely limit the number of VFF eligible for duty, compromising workforce numbers and highlights the need for specific and valid firefighter fitness standards. The results also demonstrate the strong relationships between PHT performance and firefighters{\textquoteright} cardiorespiratory fitness and local muscular endurance. Those preparing for the PHT should focus their training on these fitness components in the weeks and months prior to undertaking the PHT.}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2010.08.020 }, author = {Phillips, Matthew and Aaron Petersen and Abbiss, C.R. and Kevin Netto and Payne, W and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett} }