The Relationship Between Working Conditions and Indices of Stress and Cognitive Function in Wildland Firefighters

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dc.contributor.authorMuirhead, Katie
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-19T07:26:24Z
dc.date.available2023-03-19T07:26:24Z
dc.date.copyright2023en_US
dc.date.issued2023-03-19
dc.description.abstractThis study examined the relationship between working conditions and variables related to stress and cognitive function. A within-subject, observation study was conducted on 24 Wildland firefighters (9 F) across British Columbia between July to September of 2021 and 2022. A subset of participants (n=15) measured heart rate variability (HRV) using a chest-worn heart monitor. Perceived stress was measured on a 4-point scale. Cognitive function was measured subjectively, via 7-point scales, and objectively, via the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). Working conditions were measured post-shift, including whether they conducted wildfire suppression that day (Y/N), were exposed to smoke (Y/N), and fire stage of control on a 4-point scale (i.e., out of control; being held; under control; other). Pearson correlation analyses were performed to identify the largest associates between variables. Stage of control had the greatest number of significant correlations to cognitive function, including subjective fatigue (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) and mean reaction time (RT) (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). The largest associates of both smoke exposure and wildfire suppression were cognitive function variables; subjective fatigue and median RT (Table 1). Indices of stress and cognitive function were significantly correlated to certain working conditions, thus warranting further investigation.en_US
dc.description.reviewstatusRevieweden_US
dc.description.scholarlevelUndergraduateen_US
dc.description.sponsorshipJamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1828/14899
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectWildland Firefighting
dc.subjectWorking Conditions
dc.subjectCognitive function
dc.subjectHeart Rate Variability
dc.subjectStress
dc.subject.departmentSchool of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education
dc.titleThe Relationship Between Working Conditions and Indices of Stress and Cognitive Function in Wildland Firefightersen_US
dc.typePosteren_US

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