García-Heras Fabio, Gutiérrez-Arroyo Jorge, Rodríguez-Medina Juan, Carballo-Leyenda Belén, Sánchez-Collado Pilar, Villa-Vicente Gerardo, Rodríguez-Marroyo Jose A
VALFIS Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, 24071 León, Spain.
J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025 Feb 27;10(1):80. doi: 10.3390/jfmk10010080.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Wildland firefighters (WFFs) are subjected to significant physical and physiological demands that expose them to substantial occupational risks, including thermal stress, prolonged physical exertion, and exposure to harmful substances. These factors not only affect their immediate performance but also have long-term implications for their health. This narrative review seeks to analyze the main factors influencing the health and performance of WFFs, with a particular focus on physical, environmental, and psychological challenges.
A narrative review was performed, synthesizing data from diverse sources. The analysis centered on studies addressing the physiological, environmental, and psychological aspects of WFF performance. Specific topics included physical workload, exposure to environmental stressors, use of protective equipment, hydration, sleep patterns, and mental health.
The review highlights several critical challenges faced by WFFs, including the extreme physical demands of carrying heavy equipment during extended interventions, elevated physiological strain induced by protective gear, and significant health risks associated with smoke inhalation and dehydration. Additionally, inadequate sleep and heightened mental stress were found to impair both cognitive and physical performance. Variations in injury prevalence and patterns of chronic pain were observed, often influenced by factors such as sex, age, and professional experience.
To mitigate these risks and enhance the health and performance of WFFs, targeted interventions are essential. These include tailored physical training programs, heat acclimatization strategies, and improved resource management. Future research should aim to integrate these measures comprehensively and address existing knowledge gaps to ensure the long-term well-being of these professionals.
背景/目的：野外消防员面临着巨大的身体和生理需求，这使他们面临重大的职业风险，包括热应激、长时间的体力消耗以及接触有害物质。这些因素不仅会影响他们当下的表现，还会对他们的健康产生长期影响。本叙述性综述旨在分析影响野外消防员健康和表现的主要因素，特别关注身体、环境和心理方面的挑战。
进行了一项叙述性综述，综合来自不同来源的数据。分析集中在涉及野外消防员表现的生理、环境和心理方面的研究。具体主题包括体力负荷、暴露于环境应激源、防护装备的使用、水合作用、睡眠模式和心理健康。
该综述强调了野外消防员面临的几个关键挑战，包括在长时间干预期间携带重型装备带来的极端体力需求、防护装备引起的生理压力升高，以及与吸入烟雾和脱水相关的重大健康风险。此外，发现睡眠不足和精神压力增加会损害认知和身体表现。观察到损伤发生率和慢性疼痛模式存在差异，这些差异通常受性别、年龄和专业经验等因素影响。
为了降低这些风险并提高野外消防员的健康和表现，有针对性的干预措施至关重要。这些措施包括量身定制的体能训练计划、热适应策略和改进资源管理。未来的研究应旨在全面整合这些措施，并填补现有知识空白，以确保这些专业人员的长期福祉。
