Effects of firefighting simulation on mental performance and functions of blood vessels and heart rate

INTERVENTION: SP8.570.498.526.628.330 This is a single‐arm crossover randomized clinical trial. Study population: 28 firefighters with no diagnosis of chronic diseases. Randomization will be performed by random allocation sequence generation. Two visits will be carried out in random order with an interval of 7 to 15 days: Visit 1. Firefighting simulation ( 10 minutes); Visit 2. Control: rest ( 10 minutes). Half of the participants will start with Control and half will start with Simulation on each data collection day. After the Control or Intervention, cognitive performance tests will be performed (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, Trail Making Test A and B and Stroop Test) and later carotid ultrasound during the vascular function test (cold pressor test with water at 4 degrees Celsius). Blood pressure will be measured before and after the interventions and the vascular function test. Heart rate and pulse interval will be measured continuously throughout the experimental protocol CONDITION: Occupational Stress; Carotid Artery Diseases; Depression; Anxiety; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sedentary Behavior PRIMARY OUTCOME: It is expected to find a reduction in vascular function after simulation, verified by means of the cold pressor test, based on the finding of the lowest percentage dilation of the carotid artery in relation to the baseline state SECONDARY OUTCOME: It is expected to find a reduction in cognitive performance, after simulation, verified by the increase in the execution time of the Stroop Test and Trail Making Test A and B and increase of errors in the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), in relation to the control day INCLUSION CRITERIA: Firefighters with at least 3 years of experience who are taking the sergeant training course; both genders; minimum age 18 years