Wohlgemuth Kealey, Sekiguchi Yasuki, Mota Jacob
Neuromuscular and Occupational Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
Sports Performance Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
Am J Ind Med. 2023 Aug;66(8):705-709. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23482. Epub 2023 Apr 16.
From the year 2000, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has been recording all line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Stress or overexertion caused 1096 out of 2598 total line-of-duty deaths in the United States from 2000 to 2021. Those deaths due to stress or overexertion were further classified as myocardial infarction (90%), cerebrovascular accident (6.8%), other (2.6%), and heat exhaustion (0.6%). Environmental heat exposure is a concern in firefighting, as firefighters work in extreme conditions, such as high ambient temperatures, while wearing protective clothing. Heat stress is not only hazardous to the cardiovascular system, but may accentuate muscle fatigue and overexertion. In addition, overexertion itself is related to increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, usually to the lower extremities. Further, there is a strong physiological mechanistic link to suggest that the increased occupational heat exposure and thermoregulatory strain firefighters experience may be a stressor that increases the risk of injuries. This commentary hopes to show the need for further research on the effects of occupational exposures and physiological strain in the fire service.
自2000年起，美国消防管理局（USFA）一直在记录消防行业所有因公殉职的情况。2000年至2021年期间，在美国总计2598例因公殉职案例中，有1096例是由压力或过度劳累导致的。这些因压力或过度劳累导致的死亡案例进一步细分为心肌梗死（90%）、脑血管意外（6.8%）、其他（2.6%）和热衰竭（0.6%）。由于消防员在极端条件下工作，如在高温环境中穿着防护服，环境热暴露成为消防工作中的一个问题。热应激不仅对心血管系统有害，还可能加剧肌肉疲劳和过度劳累。此外，过度劳累本身与肌肉骨骼损伤的发生率增加有关，通常发生在下肢。此外，有强有力的生理机制联系表明，消防员所经历的职业热暴露增加和体温调节压力可能是增加受伤风险的一个压力源。本评论旨在表明有必要进一步研究消防行业中职业暴露和生理压力的影响。
