Respiratory Responses during Exercise in Self-contained Breathing Apparatus among Firefighters and Nonfirefighters
Safety and Health at Work
;
: 468-472, 2018.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-718430
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial CO₂ when using SCBA.METHODS:
Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA.RESULTS:
Respiratory rate increased more in controls than firefighters. Heart rate increased as a function of oxygen consumption (V.(O₂)) more in controls than firefighters. End-tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) during the GXTs was not affected by work rate in either group for either condition but was higher in firefighters at all work rates in both GXTs. SCBA increased ETCO₂ in controls but not firefighters.CONCLUSIONS:
The present study showed that when compared to controls, firefighters’ hypoventilate during a maximal test and GXT. The hypoventilation resulted in increased ETCO₂, and presumably increased arterial CO₂, during exertion. It is proposed that firefighters have altered CO₂ sensitivity due to voluntary hypoventilation during training and work. Confirmation of low CO₂ sensitivity and the consequence of this on performance and long-term health remain to be determined.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Oxygen Consumption
/
Protective Clothing
/
Respiration
/
Mechanics
/
Firefighters
/
Exercise Test
/
Respiratory Rate
/
Heart Rate
/
Hypoventilation
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Safety and Health at Work
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
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