Worksite Exercise Interventions for Low Back Injury Prevention in Firefighters

Low back injury is one of the most common and disabling disorders in firefighters (IAFF, 2008). Thus, novel interventions are needed to counteract the adverse consequences of this disorder and its impact on firefighter safety. Our long-term research objective is to develop and test interventions to reduce the incidence, morbidity, economic, and other adverse consequences of low back injury and illness in firefighters. Our previous studies funded by the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program demonstrated that: 1) a relationship exists between poor back muscular endurance and increased prevalence of low back pain in firefighters (Verna, 2010); and 2) a worksite intervention including back and core exercise training is safe and effective in improving back and core muscular endurance in firefighters (Mayer, 2015). The purpose of the current study, which builds upon our previous work, is to assess the clinical effectiveness of back and core exercise interventions for low back injury prevention in firefighters.

Specific Aims (Purpose) Aim 1. Compare the effectiveness of 2 worksite exercise interventions (supervised, web-based) relative to control to reduce lost work days related to low back injury and illness in firefighters.

Hypotheses: Primary - The supervised exercise intervention will reduce the number of lost work days related to low back injury and illness over the 12-month intervention period by 40% compared with control. Secondary - The web-based exercise intervention will reduce the number of lost work days related to low back injury and illness over the 12-month intervention period by 40% compared with control. No difference between the supervised and web-based exercise interventions in lost work days will be observed.

To test the hypotheses, a 3-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in career, full active duty firefighters from 76 stations of 3 fire rescue departments in the Tampa Bay region of Florida. Firefighters (n = 345) will be randomly assigned (by fire station) to 1 of 3 exercise intervention groups - 1) supervised, (n = 115), 2) web-based (n = 115), or 3) control (n = 115). Participants in the supervised and web-based exercise groups will perform back and core exercises previously tested in our recent FEMA-funded grant (EMW-2009-FP-00418), twice per week for 12 months, in addition to their usual physical fitness routine. All participants at a given fire station will receive the same intervention and interventions will be completed during normal shift hours at the fire station. The supervised group will perform back and core exercises with on-site, 1-on-1, direct supervision by certified exercise specialists (e.g. peer fitness trainers from the partner fire departments) for each exercise session using an identical strategy as our previous study. The web-based group will be provided an interactive web-based delivery, guidance, and monitoring system for back and core exercises using technology developed by our group and partners, along with remote interaction with and guidance from exercise specialists. The control group will not perform back and core exercises, but will continue their usual physical fitness routine and receive brief education on general exercise and physical activity principles.

Outcome measures to test these hypotheses include low back injury and illness data obtained and cross-checked from various sources, including administrative data (primary outcome), such as reports from the fire departments and workers' compensation data, and participant self-reported questionnaires in accordance with departmental, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and fire service standards. Numerous other clinically relevant measures for low back pain injury and illness, comorbidities, risk factors, and prognosis will also be collected and analyzed, such as incidence, frequency, severity, chronicity/duration, physical function, psychological measures (e.g. fear avoidance), back and core muscular endurance, body mass index, Functional Movement Screen, physical activity and exercise measures, and cost-effectiveness. In order to inform implementation efforts throughout the fire service, we will conduct a health economic analysis, such as cost effectiveness, and collect data to gain a better understanding of the context for implementation of the exercise interventions.

Potential impact on firefighter health and safety. The proposed study will provide pivotal evidence for dissemination and implementation throughout the fire service. Assuming positive results, this study will deliver an evidence-based exercise intervention for low back injury prevention specifically for firefighters and assessed in a full-scale randomized controlled trial.. The innovative, efficient, and effective exercise intervention will reduce the adverse consequences of low back injury and illness in firefighters, and will be ready for national implementation throughout the fire service for fire departments with similar characteristics as those tested. If successfully implemented, this low back injury prevention program will improve firefighter safety and health in order to enhance resilience and preparedness, so they can more effectively carry out their duties to protect the community. Further, this low back injury prevention program will help improve off-duty and long-term quality of life for firefighters.

Unique contribution to body of knowledge. Knowledge gaps exist in evidence-based approaches for low back injury prevention in firefighters, particularly regarding interventions for clinical effectiveness, costs, and implementation. The proposed study will assess such an intervention, and is responsive to 4 health and wellness priorities of the 2011 National Fire Service Research Agenda (NFFF, 2011): 1.0: Health and disease related to firefighter wellness and fitness; 3.0: Implementation / translational research; 7.0: Optimization of performance and reducing risk; and 8.0: Cost effectiveness of health and safety systems.