Effects of participation in a simulated live-fire maneuver on cognitive performance of firefighters: An examination of individual differences

firefighting;stress;individual differences;cognitive performance;working memory;cognitive inhibition

Greenlee, Tina A.

关键词: firefighting;    stress;    individual differences;    cognitive performance;    working memory;    cognitive inhibition;   

Others  :  https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/93045/GREENLEE-DISSERTATION-2016.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

美国|英语

来源: The Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship

【 摘 要 】

Firefighting involves numerous physical, mental, and environmental stressors that could potentially impact cognition and, ultimately, safety. PURPOSE: Examine the effects of participation in a live-fire maneuver on executive control of new-recruit firefighters immediately following supervised fireground operations and determine which select physiological variables [heart rate (HR)], psychological states (e.g., state anxiety), or perceptual responses (e.g., thermal sensation) relate to cognitive performance. Individual differences (e.g., aerobic fitness, personality) related to differing levels of cognitive performance in firefighters were also identified. METHODS: New-recruit, male firefighters (N = 85; 25.76 ± 4.06 yrs) participated in a live-fire night-burn drill as part of a 6-wk academy training program. This involved emergency response, fire attack, and sear-and-rescue (54:44 ± 4:56 mins). Computerized tests of cognitive inhibition (modified flanker task), attention (0-back task), and working memory (n-back task: 1-back, 2-back) were completed pre and post firefighting. Throughout the evening, HR was continuously recorded and affective and perceptual states of each firefighter (thermal sensation, RPE, respiratory distress, feelings, felt arousal, fatigue, anxiety) were recorded pre and post (Post-0, End) firefighting. On separate days, participants completed questionnaires assessing personality and other individual characteristics, and aerobic fitness was estimated from a 1.5-mile run time. RESULTS: RT was significantly shorter Post Drill than Pre Drill for both Congruent (Mdiff = -33.61±4.15 ms, p .05) and 0-back RT to non-target trials became longer (Mdiff = 20.46±8.11 ms, p = .014, 95% CI: 4.22,36.70). Flanker accuracy significantly decreased for both congruent (Mdiff = -1.12±0.35%, p =.002, 95% CI: -1.82,-0.42) and incongruent (Mdiff = -3.00±0.80%, p