Browsing by Author "Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member"
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Item Open Access Anthropometric indicators of obesity and their link to lifestyle and cardiovascular risk in Colorado firefighters(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) O'Toole, Lorin, author; Nelson, Tracy, advisor; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Peel, Jennifer, committee memberCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in firefighters as it is in the general population. Despite data promoting Colorado as the leanest state in the nation and the image of firefighters as healthy and physically fit, obesity is evident in Colorado firefighters and continues to be an important CVD risk factor. PURPOSE: To determine obesity prevalence, depending on measurement and classification, and its association with lifestyle factors and cardiovascular (CV) risk in a cohort of Colorado firefighters. METHODS: Analysis was conducted on data from 466 Colorado firefighters (41 females; 425 males). Using standard classification cut-points, prevalence of obesity was determined using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), and percent body fat (%BF) from skin fold (SF) and hydrodensitometry (H) measurements. Lifestyle factors used in the analysis included diet, physical activity, sleep, tension and depression. Lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, predicted maximal oxygen consumption and fitness measures were also included. CV risk was assessed using the Cooper Risk Profile. Correlation statistics were run for each anthropometric measure with the above variables. RESULTS: Obesity prevalence varied by measurement: BMI=9.8% females, 19.1% males; WC=19.5% females, 18.9% males; WHR=19.5% females, 8.0% males; SAD=31.6% females, 43.5% males; %BF(SF)=17.1% females (7.3% for >35%BF), 15.1% males; %BF(H)=23.7% females (13.2% for >35%BF), 28.6% males. In both sexes, all anthropometric measures were positively correlated with triglycerides and CRP and inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (except BMI in females), the sit and reach test and estimated maximal oxygen consumption (except BMI in females) (p≤0.05). All anthropometric measures were significantly correlated with CV risk (p≤0.05) except WHR in females. The strongest link to CV risk was %BF(SF) in females and WHR in males. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity in Colorado firefighters varies depending on the measure used. There are significant associations between obesity and lifestyle factors that should be further explored. Percent BF(SF) and WHR may be appropriate in assessing CV risk in populations of female and male firefighters, respectively, of similar demographics.Item Open Access Contribution of small scale detonations to daily occupational noise exposure(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Atencio, Victoria, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberHazardous levels of occupational noise exposure are of great concern due to the progressive nature of hearing loss. A one-time exposure to hazardous levels of noise may result in irreversible hair cell damage that could result in permanent hearing loss. This study focused on the contribution of small scale detonations to daily noise at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). Personal noise monitoring was conducted for eleven employees to evaluate noise exposure for an eight hour period to determine the effects of small detonations and potential risk of noise induced hearing loss. Weights of various explosive materials ranged from 18 milligrams (mg) to 275 grams (g). Sound level meters were also used to determine if peak impulse noise measurements were under the occupational exposure limit of 140 dBC. Noise evaluations were conducted in five facilities that included two indoor boom boxes, two indoor firing pads, and one outdoor firing pad. The results of this study were used to conclude that no employees exceeded published exposure limits (85dBA, 3 dB exchange rate or 90 dBA, 5 dB exchange rate) nor at any point were employees exposed to noise levels above 140 dBC during detonations. According to SNL policy employers are required to enroll employees in a HCP if the 8-hr time weighted average (TWA) is greater than 85 dBA (3 dB exchange rate). A linear regression analysis was performed for each detonation location to determine the potential relationship between explosive weight and TWA for dosimetry results and peak levels of noise for sound level meter results. It was suggested that the relationship between explosive weight and LCPeak levels of the firing pad (p=0.283) and outdoor firing pad (p=0.801) were not statistically significant. Further, boom box activities had a significant relationship (p=0.001) however due to small sample sizes and variation of weights it is unclear whether the difference is due to explosive weight or activity. The p-values for ACGIH criteria (p=0.092) and OSHA criteria (p=0.34) were calculated and it was found that the linear relationship between explosive weight and TWA were not statistically significant. Based on the results of this field study and small sample sizes it was not possible to determine the explosive quantity at which hearing protection should be required. To determine the contribution of small scale detonations to daily noise exposures, noise samples that were collected during detonations were removed from employee TWAs. New TWAs were calculated and compared to the original data output. It was found that detonations increased employee ACGIH TWAs from only 1-8 dB. Impulse noise measurements obtained in this study were used to conclude that controls currently in place, including barriers, distance, and hearing protection, were effective means to employee safety and health.Item Open Access Depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome risk factors in male and female Coloradan firefighters(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Voss, Corrine H., author; DeVoe, Dale, advisor; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Henry, Kimberly, committee memberPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleeping disorders, and obesity are emerging traits among emergency workers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, as many as 37% of firefighters exhibit PTSD symptoms. Depression, distressed sleep, and PTSD are only a few symptoms associated with the rise in suicide rates among firefighters in recent years. Firefighters are also four times more likely to encounter a cardiovascular episode than the general public. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 45% of firefighter deaths each year. Most cardiovascular disease is caused by factors that can be monitored, measured and modified. The clustering of several cardiovascular disease risk factors (abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and hyperglycemia) is termed the metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS includes at least three of the following five characteristics: abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm in men or >88 cm in women), elevated plasma triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), decreased HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women), elevated blood pressure (≥130 mmHg systolic or ≥85 mm Hg diastolic), and impaired fasting blood glucose (≥110 mg/dL). Depressive symptoms have been linked to several MetS risk factors including insulin resistance, high blood pressure and abdominal adiposity. Research suggests MetS and heart disease are caused by chronic stress and depression paired to poor health habits. Little is known, however, regarding depression and MetS among firefighters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine depressive symptoms (CES-D questionnaire) and MetS risk factors among FTP firefighters through the following questions; what are depressive symptoms and MetS risk factor profiles among female firefighters compared to male? Is there an association between depressive symptoms and MetS risk factors at time one? Are depressive symptoms related to the change in MetS risk factors from time one to time two? Data was utilized from the Firefighter Testing Program (FTP), which seeks to assess known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, reduce the likelihood of developing heart and vascular disease and utilize cardiovascular risk factor status in developing individualized strategies for lifestyle changes at Colorado State University. Main findings were (1) no statistical difference between female and male CES-D depressive symptom scores, (2) no association between MetS risk factors and depressive symptoms, and (3) too small of a sample size to determine any longitudinal changes in MetS risk factors. Confounder variables within the study could be increased awareness of mental health among firefighters, low female sample sizes, acute firehouse incidents, the "healthy worker effect," increased resilience levels, or time allotted to pursuing physical fitness during shift hours. Further study with other variable relationships, larger sample sizes and following critical firehouse events should be conducted to further expand the literature. Departmental enforcement of both fitness and mental health standards would be an essential step to insure firefighter effectiveness, safety and wellbeing.Item Open Access Indoor hockey officials' noise exposure, temporary hearing loss, and effect of helmet visor length on exposure to whistle noise(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Adams, Karin L., author; Brazile, William, advisor; Reynolds, Stephen, committee member; Peel, Jennifer, committee member; Legare, Marie, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberTo view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.Item Open Access Noise characterization and exposure at a ski resort(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Radman, Audra, author; Sandfort, Delvin, advisor; Brazile, William, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberThis study examined the noise exposures of employees at a ski resort working in the job categories of snowmaker, snow groomer, or chair lift operator. Noise exposures for all employees were obtained using personal noise dosimetry. Snowmakers were monitored during their normal 12-hour work shifts (n=19 for both night and day shifts) and results indicated that 70% of the snowmakers exceeded the OSHA 12-hour AL (82 dBA), 32% exceeded the OSHA recommended 12-hour PEL (87 dBA), 11% exceeded the OSHA PEL (90 dBA), and 63% exceeded the ACGIH® 12-hour TLV® (83 dBA). When comparing noise exposures of the day-shift snowmaker crew to the night-shift crew, results indicated that 100% of the night-shift crew exceeded the OSHA 12-hour Action level (82 dBA), 40% exceeded the OSHA recommended 12-hour PEL (87 dBA), 10% exceeded the OSHA PEL (90 dBA), and 100% exceeded the ACGIH® 12-hour TLV® (83 dBA). Results also indicated that of the day-shift snowmaker crew, 33% exceeded the OSHA 12-hour AL (82 dBA), 22% exceeded the OSHA recommended 12-hour PEL (87dBA), 11% exceeded the OSHA PEL (90 dBA), and 44% exceeded the ACGIH® 12-hour TLV® (83 dBA). Snowmaker equipment was also analyzed using a sound level meter for eight different snowmaking machines, with results revealing a range of 83 dBA to 116 dBA. The chair lift operation population (n=20) was monitored for work shifts varying from 8 to 10 hours. The findings indicated that 5% exceeded the OSHA 10-hour AL (83 dBA), none of the chair lift worker population exceeded the OSHA recommended 10-hour PEL (88 dBA), none exceeded the OSHA PEL (90 dBA), and 10% exceeded the ACGIH® 10-hour TLV® (84 dBA). Chair lift equipment was also analyzed using a sound level meter, which indicated a range of 75 dBA to 81 dBA. Noise exposures for snow groomers were ascertained for entire 10-hour work shifts (n=19). The results from this study indicated that none of the snow groomers exceeded any published occupational noise criteria from OSHA or ACGIH®. Snow grooming machines were also characterized using a sound level meter for four different snow grooming machines, which illustrated a range of 74 dBA to 78 dBA. It is recommended that management take steps in order to reduce the exposure times to excessive noise for snowmaker employees, either by obtaining snowmaking machines that generate noise at a safe level or by decreasing work shifts of snowmaker employees. It is also recommended that snowmaker employees continue to wear and maintain their current hearing protection devices. It is recommended that this ski resort continue the participation of all snowmaker employees in the current hearing conservation program. Further research is also recommended in order to determine if chair lift operator employees should be enrolled into a hearing conservation program to help ensure that no employees are at risk of sustaining hearing damage.Item Open Access Noise characterization and exposure of indoor hockey officials(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Langley, Ammon, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberResearchers have recently associated self-reported hearing loss in sports officials who use whistles. However, the actual noise exposures or degree of hearing loss to sports officials have not been determined to date. Researchers have shown that frequent noise exposures to equivalent sound pressure levels that exceed 85 dB may not only contribute to hearing loss, but also incidence of hypertension. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to assess hockey official noise exposures at two sporting arenas that host junior and collegiate hockey games. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to measure the noise to which hockey officials are exposed; (2) to determine if hockey officials are at increased risk of hearing damage from officiating games; and (3) to determine if hearing protection is warranted. This pilot study will help determine if a more comprehensive study, including audiometric testing, at louder, larger sports arenas is necessary. A total of 23 hockey official noise exposure samples were taken over the course of six hockey games. The hockey official noise exposure samples were collected while they were officiating games using Larson Davis personal noise dosimeters Models 706 and 703+. Each game was approximately three hours in duration. The dosimeters were pre-calibrated and attached to the officials with the microphone positioned within a one-foot radius of their heads on their dominant sides. The dosimeters were post-calibrated and the data were downloaded using the Larson Davis Blaze® Software. Analysis of the noise data included descriptive statistics such as the time-weighted average, eight-hour time-weighted average, noise dose percent, the equivalent sound pressure level, and the predicted 8-hour noise dose percent. Although the hockey games were only approximately three hours in duration, 15 of 23 (65%) of the officials were overexposed to noise based on the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommended threshold limit value of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average (3 dB exchange rate). Furthermore, all officials sampled had equivalent continuous sound pressure levels that exceeded 85 dBA. None of the hockey officials were exposed to noise levels in excess of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA as an eight-hour TWA (5 dB exchange rate) or the OSHA action limit of 85 dBA (5 dB exchange rate). Based on the results of this pilot study, hockey officials are overexposed to hazardous levels of noise that can likely contribute to hearing loss. Therefore, recommendations that include training and the use of earplugs were provided to reduce hockey official noise exposure and reduce the risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss in this population of workers. However, to determine if temporary hearing loss occurs from hockey game noise, future research using audiometric testing pre- and post-game exposure should be performed.Item Open Access Noise characterization and exposure of indoor hockey officials(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Johnesee, Katherine, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberNoise in the workplace is a common occurrence. These sounds can have various characteristics that can affect each individual. Many people around the world subject themselves to loud noises at recreational activities including concerts, monster truck rallies, and sporting events. Some individuals also work these events as security employees, referees, and concession workers. Depending on the arena and the sport, games may take place one to four days a week at a particular venue. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identifies exposure to noise as one of the most common hazards associated with workplaces. According to the National USA Hockey League, there are over 20,000 registered officials (referee/linesman) regulating hockey in the United States. The identified hockey official population could be at risk of developing noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) because of the noise exposure at hockey games. For this study, personal noise dosimeters and a sound level meter were used to record noise exposures during hockey games for the 2014 season to ascertain if hockey referees were at increased risk of NIHL. A total of 30 personal noise samples and 20 area noise samples were collected. The study was completed in December 2014. The noise dosimetry results were compared to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), OSHA Action Level (AL), and American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV). Noise dose was calculated for each official per game to determine if noise controls were warranted at this specific venue. No referees or linesmen were overexposed to noise when compared to the OSHA PEL. However, twenty-five referees and linesmen (89%) were overexposed to noise according to the ACGIH recommendations (85 dBA, 3 dB exchange rate), and two officials (7%) were exposed above the OSHA Action Level (85 dBA, 5 dB exchange rate). An average equivalent sound-pressure level (Leq) range of 79 dBA to 90 dBA was measured using a sound level meter at four locations in the arena over five games. In addition to area and personal monitoring, the number of whistle blows by the officials was counted during the first period of four games, and the average number of whistle blows per game for referees and linesmen was 60. According to previous researchers, whistle blows are one of the loudest and closest noise sources to referees. Some whistles reach sound levels as high as 116 dBA. Based on the results, it is recommended that this venue take preventative action in reducing noise exposure for hockey referees. Future research should continue sampling at sports arenas and focus on implementing control measures in hockey arenas.Item Open Access Noise characterization of oil and gas operations(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Radtke, Cameron, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Autenrieth, Daniel, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberIn cooperation with The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) conducted area noise monitoring at 23 oil and gas sites throughout Northern Colorado. The goals of this study were to: (1) measure and compare the sound levels for the different phases of oil and gas development sites; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of sound barriers; and (3) determine if sound levels exceeded the COGCC noise limits. The four phases of oil and gas development include drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completion and production. Sound measurements were collected using the A- and C-weighted scales. Octave band analysis was also performed to characterize the frequency spectra of the sound measurements. Noise measurements were collected using noise dosimeters and a hand-held sound-level meter at specified distances from the development sites in each cardinal direction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a t-test was used to determine significant differences in noise levels for drilling sites with and without sound barriers. In addition, noise maps were developed to illustrate the behavior of the noise propagation. At 117 yards, the sound-measurement distance specified by the COGCC noise rule, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and completion sites without sound barriers exceeded the maximum permissible noise levels for residential and commercial zones (55 dBA and 60 dBA, respectively). In addition, drilling and hydraulic fracturing sites with sound barriers exceeded the maximum permissible noise level for residential zones. Production sites were within the COGCC permissible noise level criteria for all zones. At 117 yards from the noise source, all drilling, hydraulic fracturing and completion sites exceeded 65 dBC. Current sound wall mitigation strategies reduced sound levels in both the A- and C-weighted scales. However, this reduction in noise was not sufficient enough to categorize drilling and hydraulic fracturing sites as compliant with the current COGCC noise regulations.Item Open Access Noise exposure assessment in the Poudre Fire Authority(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Schwennker, Catherine, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberAccording to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), it is estimated that 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise. Firefighters are part of this population of workers that are at potential risk of overexposure to such noise and subsequent noise-induced hearing loss. In fact, one NIOSH study found that 53 of 56 (96%) firefighters had detectable hearing loss. To ascertain the sources of firefighter noise exposures, noise samples were taken at ten Poudre Fire Authority stations on the equipment and emergency vehicles using a sound level meter. Results indicated that five of the six pieces of equipment located at the stations exceeded 85 dBA; and 13 of the 15 pieces of equipment on the trucks exceeded 85 dBA. Equipment that exceeds 85 dBA is important to identify since hearing loss can begin to occur at these levels. Code-3 operations that involve fire truck siren were measured at 92 dBA, and the operation of truck pumps at "high" psi was measured at 91 dBA. A 24-hour noise dose to firefighters was estimated to be at 48% of the OSHA permissible exposure limit. According to the OSHA Occupational Noise Control Standard, engineering controls are required to lower the noise levels below the eight-hour permissible exposure limit or hearing protection must worn when engineering controls are not feasible. Given the variability in the time of use of relatively loud firefighting equipment and the difficultly of measuring full-shift firefighter noise exposures, it is recommended that hearing protection be worn to help reduce the risk of noise induced hearing loss.Item Open Access Noise exposure in steel stud construction: noise characterizations and tool limit guidance for commercial framers(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Schutt, David, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Autenrieth, Daniel, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Van Dyke, Mike, committee memberNoise exposure in construction is well-demonstrated to be hazardous to hearing, with high rates among construction workers of occupational noise-induced hearing loss. This study focused on an under-studied population of construction workers: Commercial framers who cut and install steel studs as their primary task. This study used personal noise dosimetry and task assessments to characterize the noise exposures of this population, and to develop implementable recommendations to decrease hazardous occupational noise exposure for this population of workers. Sound pressure levels of common power saws at the framers' hearing zone was hazardous, with Leq log-transformed means of 107.2 dBA and Lpeak means of 120.1 dBC during saw use. Noise dose among this population ranged from 5.8 – 61.4% of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) and from 63.9 – 823.2% for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL). Mean ambient noise dose equivalent at the study sites was 1.4% for OSHA PEL criteria and 12.4% for NIOSH REL criteria. Overall, installers had significantly lower REL doses than cut persons (p = 0.016). Octave band analysis showed a slight upward trend of higher sound pressure levels at higher frequencies. Recommendations for task limitations were developed for isolated use of power saws, the powder-actuated tool (PAT) nailer, and the impact driver. Generalized cuts of steel studs without hearing protectors were limited to 13 – 14 cuts per worker per day for any saw and any stud type. Shots with the PAT nailer were limited to <2 shots per day per worker without hearing protectors, 10 – 13 shots per day with foam earplugs, 27 – 34 shots per day with earmuffs, and 86 – 108 shots per day with double hearing protection (earplugs plus earmuffs).Item Open Access Noise exposures of firefighters during training activities(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Root, Kyle, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberOccupational hearing loss is the most common work-related injury in the United States according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Consequently, NIOSH recommends that occupational noise exposure be among the top occupational hazard research areas of the next century. Firefighters represent a unique population in which noise exposure data are difficult to obtain. The unique settings in which firefighters perform their duties (e.g., inside burning structures) make it difficult to collect noise exposure data and quantify exposures due to environmental factors and unpredictability. Furthermore, firefighting requires that multiple tasks by each participant be accomplished during emergency responses. In order to address the challenge of obtaining personal noise samples from firefighters during emergency situations, this study was conducted to gather firefighter personal noise samples during training exercises that simulated on-scene firefighting tasks. Noise exposure data were collected on five training days during the summers of 2010 and 2011. Two training exercises were executed each day, totaling ten training exercises. Each training exercise averaged 35 minutes in duration and included ten to eleven participants, resulting in ninety-three total personal noise exposure samples. Noise monitoring results showed that none of the ninety-three (100%) firefighter samples were exposed to noise exceeding the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA. Nine of ninety-three (9.6%) exposures were above the OSHA action level (AL) of 50% dose when extrapolated across an 8-hour workday. Additional analysis was performed after dividing the noise exposure data into three groups consisting of Interior, Exterior, and Engineering categories. This division showed a statistically significant difference (alpha = 0.1) between the interior and engineer categories in relation to noise exposure.Item Open Access Occupational exposures to noise resulting from the workplace use of personal media players(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Autenrieth, Daniel Adam, author; Brazile, William Joseph, advisor; Sandfort, Delvin R., committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberThis study examined the contribution of personal media player (PMP) use in the workplace to overall employee noise exposures at a Colorado manufacturing facility. A total of 24 workers, 12 high-background-noise exposed (HBNE) and 12 low-background-noise exposed (LBNE), were identified as having workplace PMP exposures. A questionnaire was administered to workers who use PMPs to assess occupational PMP use behaviors. In addition, the chosen listening level of each worker was measured using an ear simulator, and the background noise of each workstation was measured using a sound level meter. Chosen listening levels, background noise levels, and self-reported duration of use were used to estimate daily occupational noise exposures. The measured average background equivalent sound pressure levels were 81 and 59 dBA in high- and low-background noise exposure areas, respectively. The measured average free-field equivalent listening levels from PMPs were significantly greater for HBNE workers (85 dBA) as compared to LBNE workers (75 dBA) (p=0.0006). The average self-reported workplace PMP listening time was 3.6 hours per day. The estimated mean daily noise exposures were calculated from background noise and PMP use for both groups and were found to be below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) standard, specifically 84 dBA eight-hour time weighted average (TWA) for HBNE workers and 72 dBA for LBNE workers. However, 6 of 12 (50%) HBNE workers had estimated daily eight-hour TWA exposures greater than 85 dBA, while none of the LBNE workers exceeded ACGIH standards. The average difference between free-field equivalent listening levels and background noise levels (signal-to-noise ratio) was significantly higher in the LBNE workers (16 dBA) than HBNE workers (4 dBA) due to the selection of sound isolating headsets by HBNE workers. It is recommended that industries either limit workplace PMP use among HBNE workers or require output limiting technology to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Further research is needed to estimate the prevalence of occupational PMP use and to determine a background noise level threshold where allowing PMPs at work poses a significant hazard to worker health and safety.Item Open Access Occupational noise exposure and hearing assessment of hydraulic fracturing workers: quiet versus conventional fleets(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Blevens, Melissa S., author; Brazile, William, advisor; Tsai, Candace Su-Jung, committee member; Van Dyke, Michael, committee member; Autenrieth, Daniel, committee member; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee memberOil and gas extraction companies are exempt from implementing hearing conservation programs for their workers according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) noise standard. The occupational noise exposure and hearing status of these workers has not been published in scientific literature before the present study, presumably due to this exemption. In this study, area and personal noise exposures and worker hearing acuity were measured at both conventional and quiet hydraulic fracturing fleets, allowing a comparison between the fleets. Quiet fleets refer to the use of engineering controls to decrease noise levels of the pumps while conventional fleets do not employ these measures. In both fleets, the authors conducted personal noise dosimetry, equipment noise measurements, and pure tone audiometry pre- and post-work shift to determine if there were temporary threshold shifts (TTS) in hearing. Based on the personal noise dosimetry results, 42/50 (84%) of the quiet fleet and 34/34 (100%) of the conventional fleet workers sampled were at or over 100% noise dose according to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) noise Threshold Limit Value (TLV). Based on the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) noise criteria, 9/50 (18%) of the quiet fleet workers and 15/34 (44.1%) of the conventional fleet workers were at or over 100% noise dose. Workers in both fleets experienced TTS, but no significant difference was observed between the types of fleets in relation to TTS. Most equipment of both fleets exceeded 85 decibels, but the pumps of the quiet fleet were ~14 dB lower than those of the conventional fleet. Although the quiet fleet noise controls reduced personal noise exposure, a portion of the quiet fleet workers sampled still faced noise levels that could increase the risk of hearing loss. The researchers suggest the initiation of a hearing conservation program despite OSHA exemption to safeguard worker health and recommend workers involved in certain job tasks employ dual hearing protection based on the exposure monitoring results.Item Open Access Prediction of exercise adherence with goal orientations and motivational climate(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Ricciardi, Antonio Adrian, author; Butki, Brian, advisor; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Rickard, Kathryn, committee memberDecreasing physical activity levels across the nation have aided in the rise of obesity. One reason for this decline in activity is the lack of adherence to exercise programs. Psychological factors such as goal orientations and motivational climates may provide insight into the adherence of exercise. The collegiate population (18-25 years old) at the campus of Colorado State University was sampled in the present study. Individual goal orientations of the subjects were measured using the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ). Participants were categorized by their individual goal orientations, high task/high ego, high task/low ego, or low task/high ego. Subjects were randomly placed into two groups where they underwent a six-week exercise program with varying motivational climates. The number of attended sessions was greater in the Task/Mastery (T/M) climate compared to the Ego/Performance (E/P) climate (8.84 ± 2.48 to 6.16 ± 2.52, respectively), while the number of missed sessions following exposure to the environment was lesser in the T/M climate, comparatively (3.00 ± 2.43 to 5.53 ± 2.44). Further, task orientation scores were positively correlated with attendance and negatively correlated with missed sessions. Ego orientation scores were in direct contrast revealing negative correlation with attendance and positive correlation with missed sessions. Additionally, individuals with high task/low ego orientation had better adherence outcomes and were the most motivationally adapted group. Lastly, ego scores increased in the E/P climate (3.29 ± 0.92 to 3.7 ± 1.1), while they decreased in the T/M climate (3.33 ± 0.76 to 2.97 ± 0.82). These data provide a greater understanding of the relationship between not only motivational climates and exercise adherence, but also between goal orientations and motivational climates. Task-oriented individuals inherently adhere to exercise programs more easily regardless of the motivational climate compared to ego-oriented individuals. Also, it has become clear that a T/M climate improves exercise adherence outcomes regardless of individual goal orientation based on the finding that dispositional orientations might be altered by the climate provided.Item Open Access Predictors of health behaviors and cardiovascular disease risk factors for professional firefighters(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Dussinger, Beth, author; Nelson, Tracy, advisor; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Graham, Dan, committee memberAlthough the leading cause of mortality among all Americans is cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for about 32% of deaths, the risk among firefighters is even higher. About 45% of on-duty firefighter deaths result from CVD. While their strenuous job duties most often precipitate the CVD-related events, almost all of these incidents are occurring in firefighters with underlying risk factors for CVD. Health behaviors such as diet and exercise are known to have large impacts on known CVD risk factors; however, the dietary habits of firefighters have not been extensively studied. Also the impact of various work-related factors on diet and exercise has not been quantitatively documented. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to elucidate the association between health behaviors and CVD risk factors among firefighters and to analyze predictors for these health behaviors including call volume, social norms and other factors associated with the fire station environment. Subjects included 42 professional firefighters (mean age 41.0 ± 9.6 years, 95.2% male) who participated in the Heart Disease Prevention Program (HDPP) at Colorado State University. These evaluations provided data on body fat percentage, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, C-reactive protein, cardiorespiratory fitness, overall coronary risk, and records of on-duty and off-duty diet. These individuals and 40 more Colorado firefighters (mean age 41.0 ± 8.7 years, 92.5% male) completed a questionnaire on motivations for health behaviors. Of these 82 firefighters, 46 completed an on-line dietary screener. Most participants displayed risk factors for CVD, including increased rates of obesity, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides. Diet records also showed reason for some concerns and correlation with CVD risk factors. Firefighters reported consuming about 37% of their daily calories from fat. Diet records showed sodium intake of 65% more than the tolerable upper level (UL) and fiber intake 25% lower than the adequate intake level (AI). The American Heart Association goals were met for fruits and vegetables by about 26% of participating firefighters, for whole grains by about 28%, for sugar-sweetened beverages by about 35%, for sodium by 0%, and for physical activity by 43%. Sodium intake was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p<.05) and physical activity was negatively correlated with SBP (p<.05). Increased consumption of added sugar showed correlation with increased body fat percentage, triglycerides, and overall coronary risk (p<.05). The volume of emergency calls showed minimal association with CVD risk factors, diet and exercise. Aspects of social norms and group cohesion appeared to have some correlation with diet and exercise behaviors. Convenience and the availability of unhealthy snacks at the fire station were commonly reported and showed associations with the diet. Emotional eating cues and cost were not shown to be strongly related to eating habits. Certain family and home environment factors appeared to also be strongly connected with health behaviors. In conclusion, these findings suggest there are work-related predictors of health behaviors and CVD risk for firefighters, but the home environment showed associations with health behaviors, too.Item Open Access The effects of sleep extension on physical and cognitive performance in AROTC cadets(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Wedderburn, J'Michael, author; Broussard, Josiane, advisor; Lipsey, Tiffany, committee member; Eakman, Aaron, committee member; Brager, Allison, committee memberCollege students and military personnel have limited sleep opportunities; Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets belong to both groups. Thus, cadets are at a heightened risk of insufficient sleep. Sleep loss can have deleterious effects on physical and cognitive health (Halson et al., 2014). In military professions, these impairments have potentially fatal consequences, as decreased performance will result in diminished operational readiness. Recent evidence suggests that sleep extension is a valid intervention to increase sleep duration (Bonnar et al., 2018). Thus, we aim to identify if sleep extension improves performance in chronically sleep-deprived ROTC cadets. This study examines the impact of 1-week of sleep extension on physical and cognitive performance in Army ROTC cadets. We recruited 16 healthy, active male and female participants aged 18-35 from Colorado State University's ROTC program. Participants were equipped with Actiwatches and completed daily sleep questionnaires and diaries during the habitual and sleep extension periods. Sleep extension was achieved by asking participants to spend 10 hours in bed to increase sleep by at least 1 hour per night. Cadets then completed a series of physical and cognitive tests to measure performance on tactically relevant tasks. The physical testing consisted of a vertical jump, 3-repetition maximal hexagon deadlift, 300-meter shuttle, and a 1-mile run; and cognitive test consisted of a psychomotor vigilance test, the Purdue pegboard test Tiffin (1948), the STROOP color-word test Jensen (1965), and a simulated shooting exercise. Wilcoxon Signed rank-test and two samples paired t-test statistical analysis compared baseline, physical, and cognitive testing data to post-intervention testing data. Cognitive and physical testing occurred after 1-week of habitual sleep and 1-week of sleep extension. The mean objective Total Sleep Time (TST) was 6.07 ± 0.15 hours during the baseline period and 7.03 ± 0.17 hours during the sleep extension period (P=<0.0001). The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) rating was outside of normal limits at 10.47 ± 1.16 during the habitual sleep period; it decreased to fall within the normal limits during the sleep extension period at 7.10 ± 0.79 (P <0.005) (Shattuck & Matsangas. 2014). There were statistically significant differences found on 2 of the 4 Purdue pegboard tests and deadlift performance from habitual sleep to the sleep extension period. The mean hands and assembly scores significantly improved (P = 0.038 and P=0.003, respectively). Performance on the 3-repetition maximal hexagon deadlift increased significantly during the habitual sleep period and sleep extension period (p = .007). The limited sleep opportunities ROTC cadets encounter have negative implications on physical and cognitive performance; based on our findings in the current study, it is plausible that sleep was not extended to an adequate duration to elicit cognitive and physical performance improvements in all of the tested cognitive and physical measure. Thus, more research is needed to investigate the relationship between sleep duration and sleep quality and their effect on cognitive and physical performance in tactical population.