Abstract
Research demonstrates that firefighters (FF) experience elevated stress levels during live fire-training evolution (LFTE) scenarios, which is posited to exacerbate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, whether these occupational stress response levels differ as an FF gains experience in the field has yet to be evaluated. PURPOSE: This study assessed the differences in stress response to a LFTE between FF with greater years of experience. METHODS: Forty-four (n=44) FF completed an annual clinical health assessment. Years of experience were used to delineate between less experienced (LOW; <6 years) and experienced FF (EXP). Salivary samples were collected baseline (BL), immediately post (POST), and 30- min post the LFTE and analyzed for α-amylase (AA), secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), and cortisol (CORT). Data were analyzed via a general linear model (GLM) multivariate and univariate analysis. RESULTS: GLM analysis revealed an overall time effect (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.216) with no group x time effect (p=0.796, ηₚ²=0.019) for the salivary stress biomarkers. The univariate analysis revealed time effects for AA (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.244), SIgA (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.261), and CORT (p=0.003, ηₚ²=0.133); however, no group x time effects were found for AA (p=0.481, ηₚ²=0.011), SIgA (p=0.817, ηₚ²=0.003), and CORT (p=0.511, ηₚ²=0.016). Immediately post-LFTE concentrations were significantly higher for AA (p<0.001), SIgA (p<0.001), and CORT (p=0.004) than at baseline. A significant group effect was found for AA (p=0.049, ηₚ²=0.089), with the LOW group having lower overall AA concentrations than the EXP group, whereas there were no group effects for CORT (p=0.427, ηₚ²=0.015) or SIgA (p=0.204, ηₚ²=0.038). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that years of experience do not impact the stress response to an LFTE. It is plausible that years of job experience can influence one’s ability to deal with occupational stress, yet future work should elucidate the impact of stress on CVD risk and occupational performance.
Recommended Citation
Dodge, Caiti; Coles, Macilynn; Zapp, Annette; Sowinski, Ryan J.; Martin, Steven E.; Colvin, Lisa C.; McAllister, Matthew J.; and Gonzalez, Drew E.
(2025)
"Impact of Years of Experience on The Stress Responses to Firefighting,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 36.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/36
