Effects of simulated firefighting on the responses of salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase and psychological variables

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a simulated firefighting intervention on salivary alpha-amylase (sA-A), free cortisol (sC), anxiety (STAI), and profile of mood states (POMS) in 20 male firefighters (age 321 years, VO2peak: 435ml/kg per min). During the 12-min firefighting intervention (ambient temperature: 131C; relative humidity: 631%), individuals spent 6328% of the time working at heart rate (HR) 85% of individual HRmax, [La] peak 9.22.9mM and ratings of perceived exertion 162. At 30min post-intervention significant (p0.001) increases in sA-A (174%) and sC (109%) were found with regard to values recorded before and after 90min of the firefighting intervention. Since no differences emerged between pre-intervention and post intervention for STAI and POMS values, the hormonal changes were attributable to the intense physical stress of the simulated intervention. Further research is needed during real firefighting activities, where high emotional stress may also be present.