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The Study of Upper Body Angle of Fire-Fighters Carrying a Patient on a Stretcher with Helmets


Affiliations
1 Dept. Emergency Medical Technology, Kangwon National University, Joongang-roSamcheok-siGangwon-do, 25913, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
2 Republic of Korea Air Force Academy, Sangdang-gu Namil-myeon 335-1 Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28187, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
3 Korea Fire Institute 331 Jisamro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17088, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
4 Dept. of Management Information System, Korea National University of Transportation, 50 Daehak-ro, Chungju-si, Chungbuk,27469, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
5 Yangpeong Fire Station, Kyungkang-ro 2047 Yangpeong–eupYangpeong–gun Kyungkido, 12547, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
6 Dept. Emergency Medical Technology, Korea National University of Transportation, 50 Daehak-ro, Chungju-si, Chungbuk,27469, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
     

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Background/Objectives: This study analyzed the upper body angle of firefighters carrying a patient on a stretcher with helmets. The purpose of the study was to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Fire firefighters (N=15) with helmets performed lifting and lowering a stretcher. At this time, we compared the angles of their neck, shoulders, back, and upper body muscles. With the collected data, descriptive statistics were conducted for each part and situation.

Findings: We used an analysis method to verify the difference before and after wearing helmets. Upper body angles were calculated as follows. With a helmet, the shoulder angle at E1 while the worker was lifting down the stretcher was statistically significant (p<.05). The neck angle at E2 and E3 while the worker was lifting the stretcher was statistically significant (p<.005, p<.05). And the back angle at E2 (p<.05) and shoulder angle at E2 (p<.005) showed statistically significant values with helmet, while the worker was lifting the stretcher.

Improvements/Applications: Therefore, our results suggest that developing higher helmets will reduce the stress of neck and back and musculoskeletal fatigue.


Keywords

Firefighter, Musculoskeletal, Body Angle, Helmets, Stress of Neck and Back.
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  • The Study of Upper Body Angle of Fire-Fighters Carrying a Patient on a Stretcher with Helmets

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Authors

Byung-Jun Cho
Dept. Emergency Medical Technology, Kangwon National University, Joongang-roSamcheok-siGangwon-do, 25913, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Ga-Ram Choi
Republic of Korea Air Force Academy, Sangdang-gu Namil-myeon 335-1 Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28187, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Yong-Taek Han
Korea Fire Institute 331 Jisamro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17088, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Seung-Yong Kim
Dept. of Management Information System, Korea National University of Transportation, 50 Daehak-ro, Chungju-si, Chungbuk,27469, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Gyoung-Yong Kim
Yangpeong Fire Station, Kyungkang-ro 2047 Yangpeong–eupYangpeong–gun Kyungkido, 12547, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Dong-Min Shin
Dept. Emergency Medical Technology, Korea National University of Transportation, 50 Daehak-ro, Chungju-si, Chungbuk,27469, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

Abstract


Background/Objectives: This study analyzed the upper body angle of firefighters carrying a patient on a stretcher with helmets. The purpose of the study was to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Fire firefighters (N=15) with helmets performed lifting and lowering a stretcher. At this time, we compared the angles of their neck, shoulders, back, and upper body muscles. With the collected data, descriptive statistics were conducted for each part and situation.

Findings: We used an analysis method to verify the difference before and after wearing helmets. Upper body angles were calculated as follows. With a helmet, the shoulder angle at E1 while the worker was lifting down the stretcher was statistically significant (p<.05). The neck angle at E2 and E3 while the worker was lifting the stretcher was statistically significant (p<.005, p<.05). And the back angle at E2 (p<.05) and shoulder angle at E2 (p<.005) showed statistically significant values with helmet, while the worker was lifting the stretcher.

Improvements/Applications: Therefore, our results suggest that developing higher helmets will reduce the stress of neck and back and musculoskeletal fatigue.


Keywords


Firefighter, Musculoskeletal, Body Angle, Helmets, Stress of Neck and Back.

References