Prediction of development of fatigue during a simulated ambulance work task from physical performance tests

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 47; no. 11; pp. 1238 - 1250
• Main Authors: Barnekow-Bergkvist, M, Aasa, U, Ängquist, K-A, Johansson, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Ltd 15.09.2004; Washington, DC Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adult; Ambulance personnel; Ambulance services; Ambulances - manpower; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body dimensions; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emergency Medical Technicians; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Fatigue; Fatigue - etiology; Fatigue - physiopathology; Fatigue etiology physiopathology; Female; Gender; Gender differences; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Lifting; Male; Medical sciences; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Physical performance; Prognosis; Questionnaires; Reference Values; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Task Performance and Analysis; Weight-Bearing - physiology; Work Schedule Tolerance; Work simulated task; Human; Body dimensions; Ambulance personnel; Ergonomics; Physical performance; Prediction; Sex; Fatigue; Dimension; Gender; Work simulated task
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140130410001714751

The aims of this study were (1) to identify which physical performance tests could best explain the development of fatigue during a simulated ambulance work task, (2) to investigate the effect of height and weight and (3) to investigate in what respects these findings differ between female and male ambulance personnel. Forty-eight male and 17 female ambulance personnel completed a test battery assessing cardio-respiratory capacity, muscular strength and endurance, and co-ordination. The subjects also completed a simulated ambulance work task - carrying a loaded stretcher. The work task was evaluated by development of fatigue. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate to what extent the tests in the test battery were able to explain the variance of developed fatigue. The explained variance was higher for female than for male ambulance personnel (time > 70% of HR peak : R 2 = 0.75 vs 0.10, accumulated lactate: R 2 = 0.62 vs 0.42, perceived exertion: R 2 = 0.75 vs 0.10). Significant predictors in the models were VO 2 max, isometric back endurance, one-leg rising, isokinetic knee flexion and shoulder extension strength. Height, but not weight, could further explain the variance. The high physical strain during carrying the loaded stretcher implies the importance of investigating whether improved performance, matching the occupational demands, could decrease the development of fatigue during strenuous tasks.