The effect of structural firefighter protective clothing systems on single-legged functional hop test scores.

BACKGROUND: Firefighters must complete a physical ability test to assess work readiness. There is a lack of understanding of how personal protective clothing (PPC) affects functional performance tests for work readiness, e.g. Triple Hop for Distance (THD) and Triple Hop for Work (THW). OBJECTIVE: To examine firefighter PPC's effect on the THD and THW measures. METHODS: Thirty-one healthy, untrained participants (male = 20, female = 11; age = 23±3 years; height = 175.30± 11.12 cm; mass = 77.94±14.24 kg; mass in PPC = 89.14±14.68 kg) completed three successful trials of the THD on their dominant and non-dominant leg, with and without PPC. The main outcome measures included maximum and mean distances on the THD with and without PPC and THW. RESULTS: We identified a significant decrease in THD measures (mean difference = 97.83 cm; p <  0.001) and THW measures (mean difference = -326.61J; p <  0.001) when donning PPC in the dominant leg. We identified a significant decrease in THD (mean difference = 121.48 cm; p <  0.001) and THW (mean difference = 493.15J; p <  0.001) for females, and a significant difference for THD (mean difference = 84.83 cm; p <  0.001) for males when donning PPC. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of PPC decreased the THD and THW measures. The additional mass of the PPC required the more energy to move the same distance without the PPC.

Heat stress and dehydration in kendo.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze sweat rate, water percentage alteration, and temperature variation during kendo practice in order to relate the thermal stress induced by such sports and draw recommendations for its secure practice. METHODS: Participants were 12 male individuals. The studied variables were: age, weight, stature, body mass index, fat percentage, water loss percentage, tympanic temperature, and sweat rate. Measures were obtained in one day of 120 min practice (T: 24.1 ± 2.5 °C; RH: 73 ± 8.5%) using obligatory training equipment. RESULTS: The age of participants was on average 26 ± 6.2 years, stature 1.8 ± 0.03 m, weight 78 ± 13.7 kg, BMI 24.12 ± 4.03 kg/m² and fat percentage 15.7 ± 5.1%. Weight and temperature final values were significantly different from the initial ones (P<0.01). Estimated sweat rate was 0.35 L.h-1 (95% CI = [0.299; 0.400]) and estimated percentage of water loss was 0.946% (95% CI = [0.694; 1.174]). CONCLUSION: Kendo practice using obligatory equipment significantly increases temperature, even when sweat rate and water loss percentage are low. The almost complete obstruction of the evaporative surface leads to heat accumulation, which may result in risks comparable to those of American football players. Thus, preventive measures must be established to minimize the risks of the combination among environment (tropical climate), equipment (bogu) and the high physiological demand of this sport in order to prevent greater damages to the health of practitioners.

Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated uniforms in the prevention of malaria and leishmaniasis in Colombian soldiers.

We determined the efficacy of the use of permethrin-impregnated uniforms for prevention of malaria and leishmaniasis in a double-blind, randomized study of Colombian soldiers on patrol. In the study of malaria, soldiers were issued impregnated uniforms (i.e., a shirt, an undershirt, pants, socks, and a hat) or uniforms washed in water; the soldiers wore the uniforms day and night for a mean of 4.2 weeks and were observed for an additional 4 weeks. Three (3%) of 86 soldiers wearing impregnated uniforms contracted malaria, whereas 12 (14%) of 86 soldiers wearing control uniforms contracted malaria (P = .015). In the study of leishmaniasis (soldiers were in the area of endemicity for 6.6 weeks and were observed for 12 weeks thereafter), 4 (3%) of 143 soldiers wearing impregnated uniforms and 18 (12%) of 143 soldiers wearing control uniforms acquired disease (P = .002). In the leishmaniasis study, and presumably in the malaria study, breakthrough infections in the treated group were primarily due to bites in unclothed regions of the body (face and hands). Permethrin-treated uniforms were virtually nontoxic (there were only two cases of mild skin irritation among 229 subjects), and impregnation is quick and inexpensive. Impregnation of clothing with permethrin is suggested for nonimmune populations who are likely to be exposed to malaria or leishmaniasis over a period of 1-2 months.