Affiliations: [a] Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia | [b] University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia | [c] Australian Capital Territory Fire and Rescue, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Wayne Spratford, Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Tel.: +61 0 262068336; E-mail:wayne.spratford@canberra.edu.au
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation where
workers are exposed to a significantly increased risk of injuries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this narrative review was to examine the
literature surrounding protective firefighting boots and their relationship
to lower body and lumbar biomechanics and potential injury. METHODS: An exhaustive search of peer reviewed firefighting
literature was undertaken across 300 databases with 12 articles fitting the
inclusion criteria and subsequently synthesised for the purposes of this
review. RESULTS: The evidence suggested that protective firefighting boots
restricted the range of motion at both the ankle and the metatarsophalangeal
joints, with changes subsequently observed for centre of pressure traces as
well as at the knee and hip joints. These changes influenced gait
characteristics during the stance and swing phases, with the potential to
alter landing strategies adopted during occupational specific activities,
all of which place firefighters at an increased risk of lower body and
lumbar injuries. CONCLUSIONS: As a majority of the research was conducted with
firefighters wearing personal protective equipment in conjunction with
standard issue boots, to date, it remains unclear as to how protective
firefighting boots in isolation or design differences influence lower body
movement and injury.
Keywords: Landing forces, biomechanics, firefighters, protective boots, centre of pressure, velocity of centre of pressure, boot design, injury prevention
