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THE EFFECT OF TWO ACUTE EXERCISE MODALITIES ON PHYSIOLOGY AND CONDITION DURING FIREFIGHTER OCCUPATIONAL TASKS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Firefighters are concerned fatigue from on-shift exercise decreases occupational performance. Evidence suggests acute exercise can impair occupational performance. No study to date has compared how different exercise modalities affect physiological and cognitive outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine how resistance training or aerobic endurance training impact physiological responses to occupational tasks. METHODS: Thirty-two participants (M/F: 17/15; 25.19 ± 4.12 yrs; 173.78 ± 9.84 cm; 75.57 ± 13.22 kg; 23.28 ± 7.43% body fat) completed 5 trials including 2 pre-testing visits to assess fitness levels and cognitive performance. Participants then completed three sessions, in quasi-randomized order, of acute exercise, resistance exercise (RE), aerobic, high-intensity interval training (AE), rested control (CON). Each of these trials were immediately followed by simulated firefighter tasks (SFT). During the SFT participants entered an environmental chamber set to 35°C and 50% humidity where they completed 4 rounds of 10 deadlifts (set to either 85 or 135lbs) followed by a 0.15 mile, 40lb-sandbag carry. After the second round, participants completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) to assess cognitive flexibility prior to completing the final two rounds. RESULTS: Average heart rate, core temperature, and skin temperature were significantly elevated during the AE (166.28 bpm, 38.68°C, 37.48°C) compared to CON (148.49 bpm, 37.56°C, 36.33°C; p < 0.001) and RE (159.91 bpm, 38.44°C, 36.87°C; p = 0.002). WCST errors (CON: 8.23, AE: 8.19, RE: 8.87; p = 0.274) and reaction time (CON: 1445 ms, AE: 1470ms, RE: 1415ms; p = 0.697) were not significantly different across conditions. There were also no significant differences in time to complete SFT between conditions (CON: 1133.62 sec, AE: 1197.83 sec, RE: 1211.48 sec; p = 0.243). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that an acute bout of high intensity interval training does significantly impact markers of physiological stress during occupational task performance. However, acute exercise, regardless of the modality, did not significantly affect occupational task performance or cognitive function. These findings contribute to our understanding of the acute impact of different methods of on-shift exercise, providing actionable knowledge which may help firefighters reduce injury and optimize occupational readiness.

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