Wolkow Alexander, Aisbett Brad, Ferguson Sally A, Reynolds John, Main Luana C
Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood 3125, Australia; Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Clayton 3168, Australia.
Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood 3125, Australia; Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne 3002, Australia.
Int J Psychophysiol. 2016 Dec;110:109-118. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.10.015. Epub 2016 Oct 29.
Physical work and sleep loss are wildland firefighting demands that elicit psychological and physiological stress responses. Research shows that these responses are statistically related which presents an opportunity to use subjective psychological questionnaires to monitor physiological changes among firefighters; an approach used extensively in sport settings. The aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in self-reported psychological factors on the multi-component training distress scale (MTDS), relate to cytokines and cortisol levels among firefighters completing three days of simulated physical firefighting work separated by an 8-h or restricted 4-h sleep each night. Each day firefighters completed the MTDS in the morning and salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines were measured throughout the day. When sleep restricted, firefighters demonstrated increases in MTDS factors of general fatigue, perceived stress and depressed mood that were related to elevated cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10). Conversely, firefighters who had an 8-h sleep demonstrated a positive relationship between physical signs and symptoms and elevated IL-6, while depressed mood was inversely related to decreasing cortisol and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10). Findings highlight the utility of the MTDS to detect psychological changes that reflect physiological responses among firefighters. Future research that establishes thresholds for specific factors which predict health-related physiological changes, will allow fire agencies implement multi-component measures to monitor and manage the health of personnel on the fire-ground.
体力工作和睡眠缺失是野外灭火工作的要求，会引发心理和生理应激反应。研究表明，这些反应在统计学上具有相关性，这为使用主观心理问卷来监测消防员的生理变化提供了机会；这种方法在体育领域被广泛应用。本研究的目的是调查在多成分训练应激量表（MTDS）上自我报告的心理因素变化，是否与完成三天模拟体力灭火工作（每晚分别有8小时或受限的4小时睡眠）的消防员体内细胞因子和皮质醇水平相关。每天消防员在早上完成MTDS，并且全天测量唾液皮质醇和炎性细胞因子。当睡眠受限时，消防员在一般疲劳、感知压力和抑郁情绪等MTDS因素上表现出增加，这些与细胞因子（TNF-α、IL-8、IL-10）升高有关。相反，有8小时睡眠的消防员身体体征和症状与IL-6升高之间存在正相关，而抑郁情绪与皮质醇和细胞因子（IL-6、TNF-α、IL-10）降低呈负相关。研究结果突出了MTDS在检测反映消防员生理反应的心理变化方面的效用。未来建立预测与健康相关生理变化的特定因素阈值的研究，将使消防机构能够实施多成分措施来监测和管理火场人员的健康。
