Influence of Demographic Characteristics and Muscle Strength on the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale in Career Firefighters.

Abstract

Little is known regarding how individual characteristics and changes in muscle strength across a shift cycle are associated with the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale in career firefighters. Thirty-two career firefighters completed lower body maximal strength testing prior to and following three 24-hour on-off shifts. Demographic data were collected prior to the first shift and the OFER15 questionnaire was completed following the last shift. Increased age was associated with greater acute and chronic fatigue and poorer recovery. A positive percent change in strength following a shift cycle was related to better recovery. Age was the only significant predictor of acute and chronic fatigue, while age and the change in strength were significant predictors of inter-shift recovery. Increased age influences all dimensions of work-related fatigue, with changes in muscle strength influencing inter-shift recovery in career firefighters.