Abstract:

In order to explain the causes of the psychological collapse and revitalisation of firefighters under extreme work stress from a natural science perspective, the potential moderating effects were explored. Firstly, the effects of firefighting occupational stress on resilience-related biomarkers were collated and summarised. Then, by drawing on the results of different special populations in the field of resilience-related biomarker research, possible pathways were explored in the construction of resilience biomonitoring models appropriate to the firefighting occupation. Finally, it was elucidated whether firefighters have a potential moderating effect in resisting the negative effects of firefighting occupational stress on resilience-related biomarkers from the perspective of exercise. The results show that: firefighting occupational stress can disrupt the equilibrium of resilience bio-adaptation and adversely affect firefighter occupational safety and health. A resilience biomonitoring model appropriate for firefighting occupations needs to be constructed based on a balanced combination of appropriate biomarkers with reference to the selection of indicators for different specialised populations; exercise has potential modulatory effects on the benign development of resilience-related biomarkers in terms of promoting neuroendocrine homeostatic balance, upregulating anabolism and enhancing anti-inflammation.

Key words: firefighter, occupational safety and health risks, exercise, moderating effects, resilience