Oral Glutamine Supplement Reduces Subjective Fatigue Ratings During Repeated Bouts Of Firefighting Simulations

Authors

Mary Moore, Central Michigan UniversityFollow
Terence A. Moriarty, The University of New MexicoFollow
Gavin Connolly, Central Michigan University
Christine Mermier, The University of New MexicoFollow
Fabiano Amorim, The University of New MexicoFollow
Kevin Miller, Central Michigan UniversityFollow
Micah Zuhl, Central Michigan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Fatigue, Firefighter, Glutamine, Heat, Heat shock proteins, Recovery

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Safety

Volume

5

Issue

2

Abstract

Wildland firefighting requires repetitive (e.g., consecutive work shifts) physical work in dangerous conditions (e.g., heat and pollution). Workers commonly enter these environments in a nonacclimated state, leading to fatigue and heightened injury risk. Strategies to improve tolerance to these stressors are lacking. Purpose: To determine if glutamine ingestion prior to and after consecutive days of firefighting simulations in the heat attenuates subjective ratings of fatigue, and evaluate if results were supported by glutamine-induced upregulation of biological stress responses. Methods: Participants (5 male, 3 female) ingested glutamine (0.15 g/kg/day) or a placebo before and after two consecutive days (separated by 24 h) of firefighter simulations in a heated chamber (35°C, 35% humidity). Perceived fatigue and biological stress were measured pre-, post-, and 4 h post exercise in each trial. Results: Subjective fatigue was reduced pre-exercise on Day 2 in the glutamine group (p < 0.05). Peripheral mononuclear cell expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and serum antioxidants were elevated at 4 h post exercise on Day 1 in the glutamine trial (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ingestion of glutamine before and after repeated firefighter simulations in the heat resulted in reduced subjective fatigue on Day 2, which may be a result of the upregulation of biological stress systems (antioxidants, HSPs). This response may support recovery and improve work performance.

Department

Department of Kinesiology

Original Publication Date

6-1-2019

DOI of published version

10.3390/safety5020038

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

Recommended Citation

Moore, Mary; Moriarty, Terence A.; Connolly, Gavin; Mermier, Christine; Amorim, Fabiano; Miller, Kevin; and Zuhl, Micah, "Oral Glutamine Supplement Reduces Subjective Fatigue Ratings During Repeated Bouts Of Firefighting Simulations" (2019). Faculty Publications. 502.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/502