engleski

Response to thermal and physical strain during flashover training in Croatian firefighters

Flashover training (FOT) for firefighters is a simulation of the flashover phenomenon under controlled conditions. This study assessed arterial blood pressure (BP) and its response to thermal and physical strain during FOT in 48 professional and 18 voluntary firefighters. High prevalence of obesity (27%), basal hypertensive (53%) and prehypertensive (33%) BP values were found. FOT induced mild hyperthermia and physical strain (average increase of 1.1 ºC in tympanic temperature and 61% of the maximal heart beat predicted for age). In voluntary compared to professional firefighters, FOT induced higher increase in pulse (P=0.050) and tympanic temperature (P=0.025). Systolic BP did not vary significantly, and diastolic BP slightly decreased during FOT in both groups. Results confirm that FOT induced only physiological cardiovascular responses to thermal and physical strain in firefighters. High prevalence of obesity and elevated BP values indicate the need for better physical fitness and BP control among firefighters.

cardiac strain; arterial blood pressure; body mass index

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