EFFECT OF ON-DUTY RESISTANCE TRAINING ON NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION IN STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTERS: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS

Authors

Jamal L. Thruston, University of KentuckyFollow
Sarah N. Lanham, University of KentuckyFollow
Mark R. Mason, University of KentuckyFollow
Jackson Miller, University of KentuckyFollow
Margaret A. Lewis, University of KentuckyFollow
Susannah L. Reiner, University of KentuckyFollow
Abigayle R. Spong, University of KentuckyFollow
Lance M. Bollinger, University of KentuckyFollow
Stuart Best, University of KentuckyFollow
Nick Heebner, University of KentuckyFollow
Emily L. Langford, University of MontevalloFollow
Mark G. Abel, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports approximately 65,000 firefighter injuries annually; 21% of fireground injuries result from a slip/trip/fall and 40% are classified as a strain, sprain, or muscular pain. The NFPA recommends participation in regular exercise while on duty, however, it’s unclear how exercise-induced fatigue may impact firefighters’ ability to safely perform subsequent occupational tasks, as fatigue is considered a risk factor for slip/trip/fall-related injuries. The current study aims to investigate the impact of exercise-induced fatigue on firefighters’ injury risk. METHODS: A convenience sample of 3 career structural firefighters (Age: 30±7 yr) were recruited from a local fire department. Participants completed 3 testing sessions, separated by at least 72 hr. During Session 1 participants’ anthropometrics and familiarization trials of the balance and neuromuscular function assessments were completed, which included single-leg drop landing (SLDL), postural sway (PS), and Functional Balance Test (FBT). The FBT required ambulation on a plank while maneuvering over and under standardized barriers. Sessions 2 and 3 were randomized, where participants completed either heavy resistance training (HRT; 5RM loads, 2 min passive recovery) or a circuit training (CT; 10RM loads, 45 s passive recovery) session. Balance and neuromuscular assessments were conducted pre- and 10 min post-exercise. Pre- and post-exercise absolute and relative differences were calculated for both conditions. RESULTS: The mean SLDL time-to-stabilization decrements were greater in HRT (left leg: 18±4%, right leg: 27±10%) than CT (left leg: 12±16%, right leg: 8±29%). Bipedal PS mean velocity decrements were greater in CT (32±68%) than HRT (11±19%); whereas single leg PS improved slightly following HRT (left leg: -3±12%, right leg: -6±21%) and CT (left leg: -1±14%, right leg: -5±16%), with greater improvements following HRT. FBT performance index increased post-exercise with greater decrements in CT (15±25%) than HRT (7±9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminarily results suggest that CT may lead to greater balance and neuromuscular decrements than HRT post-exercise among firefighters which may guide on-duty exercise prescription.

Recommended Citation

Thruston, Jamal L.; Lanham, Sarah N.; Mason, Mark R.; Miller, Jackson; Lewis, Margaret A.; Reiner, Susannah L.; Spong, Abigayle R.; Bollinger, Lance M.; Best, Stuart; Heebner, Nick; Langford, Emily L.; and Abel, Mark G. (2024) "EFFECT OF ON-DUTY RESISTANCE TRAINING ON NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION IN STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTERS: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 167.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss3/167