Effects of perceived stress and fatigue in Firefighters cognitive performance: a pilot study

Abstract

Firefighting is a hazardous occupation. Firefighters are commonly subjected to high levels of stress and fatigue that could interfere with their ability to take decisions under pressure. Based on this assumption, a laboratory protocol was conducted among 10 Portuguese firefighters in order to address their stress and mental fatigue levels and its impact on cognitive performance. A 2-Choice Reaction Time Task was used to measure cognitive performance (before and after a stress condition) and a psychosocial stress paradigm was used to assess stress. Visual Analogue Scales were also used to measure perceived stress and mental fatigue. Results suggested that firefighters felt more fatigued at the end of the protocol, however their performance only decreased in the first reaction time task. Furthermore, findings suggested that stress improved firefighters reaction times, however when stress levels increased, performance decreased. This suggests the need to better understand firefighters optimal stress levels and fatigue, in order to promote their health and work safety, by improving their performance under demanding situations.