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García-Heras F, Rodríguez-Medina J, Castañeda A, León-Guereño P, Gutiérrez-Arroyo J. Occupational Injuries of Spanish Wildland Firefighters: A Descriptive Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1615. [PMID: 39201173 PMCID: PMC11354085 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The work of wildland firefighters, especially of the so-called 'Brigadas de Refuerzo contra Incendios Forestales', is characterised by high physical demands and extreme operating conditions. These professionals face long workdays (12 h), walking with heavy loads (~25 kg), being exposed to high temperatures (>30 °C), and handling specialised tools in high-risk environments. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of occupational injuries among members of the 'Brigadas de Refuerzo contra Incendios Forestales' and its relationship to variables such as age and work experience. A total of 217 wildland firefighters (18 female and 199 male) correctly answered a questionnaire developed on an ad hoc basis to meet the study's objectives. A high prevalence of occupational injuries was observed among them (~76%). Age and work experience were shown to be significantly associated with injuries. Individuals over 35 years of age with more than 10 years' experience had a higher probability of injury (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12-4.06 and OR = 2.46, CI = 1.30-4.67, respectively). Injuries occurred mainly during physical training (~46%), followed by preventive work (~33%) and forest fires (~20%). The most common injuries were tendonitis and muscle pain (~44% and ~21% respectively), followed by sprains (~21%). The results underline the need for physical activity programmes adapted to help wildland firefighters, especially older and more experienced individuals. The identification of risk factors such as age and work experience can contribute to the prevention and management of occupational injuries among this group of highly specialised forestry workers. Specific preventative measures during training are required to mitigate the risk of injury among these crews, who play a crucial role in protecting the environment and public safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio García-Heras
- VALFIS Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Juan Rodríguez-Medina
- VALFIS Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Arkaitz Castañeda
- Health, Physical Activity and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain; (A.C.); (P.L.-G.)
| | - Patxi León-Guereño
- Health, Physical Activity and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain; (A.C.); (P.L.-G.)
| | - Jorge Gutiérrez-Arroyo
- VALFIS Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
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Wilkinson MS, Guy JH, Obst SJ. Isokinetic Shoulder Strength and its Associations to Injury in Tactical Populations: A Critical Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXERCISE SCIENCE 2024; 17:235-251. [PMID: 38665688 PMCID: PMC11042902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to evaluate existing isokinetic testing protocols for the shoulder in tactical occupations, document their shoulder strength profiles, and determine any associations to shoulder injury. Four electronic databases were searched (Medline/Pubmed, Ovid/Emcare, CINAHL/Ebsco and Embase) using the keywords police OR law enforcement, firefighter, military, AND isokinetic. Articles were eligible if they had at least one cohort of a tactical population and included isokinetic testing of the glenohumeral joint. The search yielded 275 articles. After screening for duplicates and inclusion criteria, 19 articles remained for review, six of which assessed injury correlation. 17 articles evaluated military personnel and two examined firefighters. Articles were categorized by study design, population, isokinetic protocols, strength outcome measures and statistical measures. Concentric internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strength at 60 degrees/second were reported most frequently (84% of cases). There was a paucity of testing speeds, repetition ranges and contraction types evaluated when compared to existing literature in other populations with high shoulder injury occurrence such as overhead and collision athletes. Outside of military cohorts, there is limited data available to characterise the isokinetic strength profile of the shoulder in tactical occupations. Meta-analysis for injury association was unable to be performed due to independent variable and statistical heterogeneity. However, a best evidence synthesis suggested conflicting evidence to support the association of injury with isokinetic strength testing in tactical populations. Future studies should prioritise prospective designs utilising variable speeds, repetition schemes and contraction types to better capture the dynamic occupational demands in tactical groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Wilkinson
- School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Cairns, QLD, AUSTRALIA
| | - Joshua H Guy
- School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Cairns, QLD, AUSTRALIA
| | - Steven J Obst
- School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD, AUSTRALIA
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Melton B, Ryan G, Zuege V, Rochani H, Anglin D, Dulla J. Evolution of Physical Training in Police Academies: Comparing Fitness Variables. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11020261. [PMID: 36673629 PMCID: PMC9858962 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different physical training approaches to improving cadets' fitness variables. Retrospective data for male and female land management law enforcement officers attending a 15-week training program at three separate time points were provided for analysis. The time points reflected the three different training approaches, including calisthenic training (CT) = 83, functional fitness training (FT) = 90, and strength training (ST) = 110. Inferential data analysis was used to find which mode of exercise had the greatest impact on body composition, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, agility, and flexibility. All groups displayed decreases in body fat percentage, with weight loss being more significant within the CT and FT groups, while the ST group increased in body weight. The CT group had the greatest flexibility increases compared to the FT and ST groups. ST training elicited significantly smaller changes in cardiovascular endurance than the FT and CT groups. ST training showed greater improvements in lean mass, while CT and FT showed greater increases in flexibility and endurance. These results suggest that training protocols can increase performance and optimize the abilities to perform job tasks in tactical athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Melton
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Water College of Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Gregory Ryan
- Exercise and Sport Science, College of nursing and Health Sciences, Piedmont University, Demorest, GA 30535, USA
| | - Victor Zuege
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Brunswick, GA 31524, USA
| | - Haresh Rochani
- Department of Biostatistics, Jing-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Derick Anglin
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Water College of Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Joseph Dulla
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Water College of Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
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Orr R, Canetti EFD, Pope R, Lockie RG, Dawes JJ, Schram B. Characterization of Injuries Suffered by Mounted and Non-Mounted Police Officers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1144. [PMID: 36673926 PMCID: PMC9858804 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mounted police officers are subject to unique occupational tasks which may lead to unique injuries. This study's aim was to describe policing injuries suffered by mounted police officers contextualized through comparison to non-mounted officers. Injury data from 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2020 were provided from a state policing agency's incident reporting database. The data reported the numbers and rates of injuries and classified the injuries by gender, cause, mechanism, nature, and hours worked. Of the 35,406 reported injuries, 35,255 (99.6%) injuries were reported by non-mounted police officers. An annual incidence rate of 338-364 and 626-952 injuries per 1000 personnel were reported in non-mounted and mounted police, respectively. For mounted police, the leading causes of injuries were slips, trips, and falls (23.8%), followed by repetitive tasks and movements (9.9%). Physical assault was the leading cause of injury for non-mounted police officers (21.3%), followed by slips, trips, and falls (16.0%). In mounted police, falls from heights (15.9%) and repetitive tasks and movements (10.6%) comprised the most frequently specified mechanisms of injury, as compared to physical assault (21.0%) and physical exercise (5.2%) in non-mounted police. The most common activities being performed at the time of injury for mounted police were animal handling (64.9%) as opposed to arresting an offender (31.2%) for non-mounted police. Sprains and strains and bruises and swelling were the leading natures of injuries among both mounted (44.4% and 29.1%, respectively) and non-mounted (36.6% and 21.2%, respectively) officers. The leading body sites of injury in mounted officers were the lower back (13.9%) and neck and shoulders (7.3% each), and for non-mounted police, the knee (13.9%), lower back (10.0%), and hand (8.2%) were the most common. Mounted police officers sustained injuries through different activities, causes, and mechanisms and to different body sites at 2-3 times higher incidence rates. Mounted police officers warrant specifically tailored injury mitigation and return-to-work strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Orr
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
| | - Elisa F. D. Canetti
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
| | - Rodney Pope
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
| | - Robert G. Lockie
- Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
| | - J. Jay Dawes
- School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- OSU Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ben Schram
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
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Maupin DJ, Canetti EFD, Schram B, Lockie RG, Dawes JJ, Dulla JM, Orr RM. Profiling the injuries of law enforcement recruits during academy training: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:136. [PMID: 35858859 PMCID: PMC9297584 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00533-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injuries within law enforcement are a significant issue as they increase organisational costs and workforce strain. As one of the biggest risk factors of future injury is previous injury, minimising injuries suffered during academy has multiple beneficial and long-term effects, including a healthier and fitter police force. The purpose of this study was to profile the injuries sustained at a law enforcement academy to inform future injury mitigation strategies. METHODS Injury data were provided retrospectively (from May 2012 to September 2019) from the official insurance records of a law enforcement academy and included nature, location, and activity performed at time of injury. A total of 4340 (3288 males, 938 females, 114 sex not stated) recruits participated in academy training during this period. Inclusion criteria for the data were (a) injury record related to a recruit, and (b) the recruit was injured during academy training., with injury defined as tissue damage caused by acute or repetitive trauma, inclusive of musculoskeletal, neural, and/or integumentary systems but excluding general medical conditions such as cardiac (e.g. heart attacks) or respiratory (asthma) that was subsequently reported for worker's compensation. Injury incidence rates and proportions were calculated and a Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted between injury rates over successive classes. RESULTS An injury incidence rate of 368.63 injuries per 1000 recruits per year was calculated in this population, with a moderate correlation coefficient (rs = 0.60) of increasing injury rates over chronologically occurring classes. Females also had higher injury rates than male recruits, even across various fitness levels. Trauma to joints and ligaments (49.30%) was the most common injury, and the knee the most common location (23.17%) of injury. Physical training (56.10%) was the most common activity being performed at the time of injury. CONCLUSIONS This research demonstrates a large number of lower limb, musculoskeletal injuries that often occur during physical training. Further research is needed to assess suitable injury mitigation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny J Maupin
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia.
| | - Elisa F D Canetti
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Ben Schram
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Robert G Lockie
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
- Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA
| | - J Jay Dawes
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
- School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
- OSU Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Joseph M Dulla
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Rob M Orr
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
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