Affiliations: [a] Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA | [b] Department of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt | [c] Sycamore Township EMS & Fire Department, Sycamore Township, OH, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Kermit Davis, University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental Health, 3223 Eden Avenue, 330 Kettering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA. Tel.: +1 513 558 2809; Fax: +1 513 558 4397; E-mail: Kermit.davis@uc.edu
Abstract: Slips and falls account for a significant number of injuries suffered by firefighters. Obesity may be a contributing factor to these slips and falls since many firefighters have become significantly heavier over the last decade. This study's objective was to determine whether obesity places firefighters at a higher risk of slips/falls by impacting postural balance. Thirteen firefighters – 6 obese and 7 overweight/normal, had their postural balance measured over a single shift (at 12-hour intervals). Each assessment contained three specific tasks: eyes open while standing, eyes closed standing on foam, and a dynamic reach task. The firefighters wore turnout gear with and without SCBA. Obese firefighters were found to have less postural sway, particularly when their postural control systems were compromised. When standing on foam, obese firefighters reduced their sway area by 26% as compared to overweight/normal firefighters. Similarly, obese firefighters had an 18% decrease in postural sway during the reach task. In all, the results indicate obese firefighters compensated posturally, reducing the potential for external demands resulting in a slip or fall. The key issue is that the obese firefighters sampled in the current study were able to compensate under ideal situations, particularly when required to wear gear and equipment.
Keywords: Postural balance, emergency response, personal protective equipment, slips and falls
