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YEAR 2, IMPACT OF PROTECTIVE GEAR ON DYNAMIC BALANCE, MOBILITY, AND MOTOR CONTROL IN FIREFIGHTERS.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A 2021 report from the National Fire Protection Association reported 22,450 firefighter injuries where 49% of non-fireground injuries were from strains, sprains, or muscular pain. This study was the second year of a three-year follow up study that measured changes in upper and lower body mobility dynamic balance and motor control using the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in firefighters wearing workout gear (PT) or personal protective ensembles with self-contained breathing apparatus (FULL). SUBJECTS: Seven of the fourteen firefighters who had previously participated in year one retested in year two. Subjects were from the local municipal fire department. METHODS: Injury surveys were given prior to testing. Dynamic balance was measured using the YBT on upper (UQ) and lower quarter (LQ). An informed consent was read and signed by all subjects in the first year and is valid over the life of the three-year study. Researchers evaluated the injury surveys for any reasons a participant should not be tested. None of the subjects reported any injuries. UQ and LQ testing took place over a period of three weeks on two separate occasions in a counter-balanced fashion. There was a two-hour window from 1400-1600 hours that subjects could come in and be tested while on duty. Composite reach scores (C) and reach distances were measured on the right (RC) and left (LC) sides. Subjects wore either workout gear (PT) or Bunker gear and SCBA (FULL). SPSS was used to identify statistical differences using paired sample t-tests, alpha set at <0.05. RESULTS: There were no injuries reported by any of the subjects. There were no statistical differences found in composite or reach scores between year 2 and year 1 in UQ. In the LQ there were statistical differences found in the posterior medial direction in PT in both Left (L) (12.43 ± 8.24 cm, p = 0.007) and Right (R) (10.07 ± 5.84 cm, p = 0.004). There was also a statistical difference in the same reach direction on the R (10.21 ± 10.51 cm, p = 0.042) side in FULL. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility, dynamic balance, and motor control did not decrease between years 2 and 1. Data indicates an improvement in scores. Differences could be attributed to small N size, and the learning effect between year 2 and 1.

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