Heat stress and firefighter motor performance
Official title: The Impact of Rapid Heat Stress on Motor Performance and Control in Firefighters
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11214656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests how rapid heat buildup from PPE affects how firefighters walk and perform fine motor tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | September 14, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $72,363 |
| NIH project number | 1R03OH012915-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11214656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adult firefighters or individuals in similar physically demanding roles who can safely participate in controlled heat-stress sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Non-firefighting populations or those unable to safely engage in heat-stress testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
Firefighters often work in environments where rapid heat buildup from their protective gear can raise core temperature quickly, potentially changing how they move and coordinate their actions. The study will measure walking patterns with a focus on balance and gait using a new analysis method called Dynamic Time Warping, at rest and after exercise in heat. It will also test fine motor skills and muscle coordination in the arms and legs to see how heat stress may increase the risk of slips, trips, or drops of gear. The findings could help tailor training, PPE design, or safety protocols to reduce injuries during fire containment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to improved training and equipment practices that reduce firefighter injuries related to impaired movement under heat stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows heat and exertion can affect motor performance, but this RHS-specific approach is novel in its exact measurement methods and tasks.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coehoorn, Cory — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Coehoorn, Cory
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.