Classification of metabolic and respiratory demands in fire fighting activity with extreme workloads
Fire fighting work comprises work tasks requiring an energy yield at maximal or close to maximal levels of the individual. Due to the very nature of fire fighting more complex physiological variables are difficult to measure. We measured metabolic and respiratory responses in 15 male, professional fire fighters during simulated work tasks on a test ground. Work time was on the average 22min with individual components of work tasks lasting 24min. The mean oxygen consumption for the whole exercise (22min) was 2.750.29l/min. The most demanding work task demanded an oxygen uptake of 3.550.27l/min. Corresponding values for respiratory minute volumes were 8214 and 10214l/min, respectively. Heart rates averaged 16812 for the whole test and 17913 beats/min for the heaviest work task. Two new classes for classification of intensive and exhausting, short term physical work are proposed for inclusion in ISO8996 and values for relevant parameters are proposed.
oxygen consumption physical work metabolic rate minute ventilation