The influence of firefighter boot type on balance |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, PO Box 1848 – Turner 226, University, MS 38677, USA;2. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;3. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Utah Vascular Research Laboratory, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA;4. Department of Health and Human Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;1. Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore;2. Emergency Responder Human Performance Lab, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3600 Forbes Ave., Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States;3. SUNY University at Buffalo, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, 212 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States;1. The University of Tulsa, 800 S Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK, 74104, USA;2. Northern Kentucky University, Louie B Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY, 41099, USA;3. Oklahoma State University, CRC 183, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA;4. Liberty University, 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA, 24515, USA;1. Cornell University, 255 Human Ecology Building, 37 Forest Home Dr, NY, 14853, Ithaca, USA;2. University of Oregon, 70 NW Couch St, OR, 97209, Portland, USA;3. Florida State University, 236 Shaw Building, 644 West Call Street, FL, 32306, Tallahassee, USA;4. University of Minnesota, 350 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave, MN, 55108, St. Paul, USA;5. Cornell University, 131 Human Ecology Building, 37 Forest Home Dr, NY, 14853, Ithaca, USA;1. Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan;2. Industrial Engineering Department, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia;1. University of Illinois, Fire Service Institute, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA;2. University of Illinois, Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA;3. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA |
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| Abstract: | A firefighter's boots play a critical role in working effectiveness and personal safety. OSHA 1910.156 contains standards for personal protective equipment of fire brigades. Firefighters use either rubber or leather boots that meet these requirements. The purpose of the study was to examine the differences in balance in professional firefighters wearing rubber and leather boots when participating in a fire simulation activity. Twelve professional firefighters performed 2 sets of a three-minute simulated firefighter stair climb wearing a 50 lb weighted vest to simulate their typical personal protective equipment and two 5.68 kg weights on the shoulders to simulate the weight of a high-rise pack (hose bundle). On each condition day (leather, rubber) the firefighter conducted a balance assessment. Following the initial balance protocol, the firefighter conducted a Simulated Firefighter Stair Climb for 3 min at a rate of 60 steps per/min. At the completion of the stair climb, the firefighter repeated the balance procedure. Following a 3-minute rest period, the complete procedure (balance, stair climb) was repeated. A total of 3 balance procedures and 2 stair climbs were completed. Significant differences were found in sway velocity between the pre and post test measures and among the two different boots. These results suggest that the rubber boots elicit greater postural instability. These findings provide practical information on work practices and PPE usage decisions.Relevance to industryIndustry standards dictate the protective variables of boots used by fire brigades, but do not consider the influence on gait and balance. This study provides evidence that the rubber boots used by firefighters may impair specific balance parameters which are critical for firefighter safety. |
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