The effect and Follow – up results of 8 weeks of operational-skill training on the dynamic balance of firefighters

Mahmoudi M; Sahebozamani M; Akoochakian M

doi:10.18502/tkj.v15i2.13373

Mahmoudi M PhD Student in Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran.
Sahebozamani M Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kerman University of Shahid Bahonar, Kerman, Iran.
Akoochakian M Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v15i2.13373

Keywords: Operational-skill training, Dynamic balance, Firefighters

Abstract

Introduction: Rescue worker is one of the jobs that is associated with stressful factors. Among the relief occupations, firefighters are faced various physical and chemical hazards, such as high temperatures, chemicals, noise, etc., due to their responsibilities for firefighting and safety services. Therefore, the main goal of this research was the effect and follow–up results of 8 weeks of operational-skill training on the dynamic balance of firefighters.

Materials and Methods: The subjects of the research were 34 male firefighters of Tehran who had at least five years of continuous shift experience in the experimental group with an age range of 29.00±2.55 years, height of 178.41±4.62 cm, weight 77.39±4.66 kg, and body mass index 16. 24.31±1 kg per square meter, and in the control group with an age range of 28.71±2.39 years, height 177.47±3.32 cm, weight 76.00±4.12 kg, and body mass index 02/0 were 24.13±1 kg/m2, were selected.

Results: The functional balance board of firefighters was used to evaluate dynamic balance. The research base was in the 114th station of the Tehran fire department. The analysis of the data obtained from the research was done by the statistical method of analysis of variance with repeated measures and to compare two groups by Bonferroni's post hoc test at the error level of 0.05 and using SPSS software version 24. According to the results of the research, after the intervention, there was a significant difference in the experimental group (p≥0.05); but no significant difference in the control group (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: Operational-skill training can improve and promote the important factors of injury prevention (fatigue, reaction time, and balance) among firefighters. Therefore, fatigue can affect reaction time and imbalance, which will result in musculoskeletal injuries among firefighters, so it is recommended to improve the mentioned factors of injury prevention. And for the lasting effect, operational skill exercises should be used. Finally, it can be said that operational-skill exercises can improve the dynamic balance of firefighters.