Preventing Injuries In Firefighters Nationwide is New Research Focus for Top Sports Doc James Andrews, M.D. and Athletes' P...( "Occupa...),Health

"Occupational Athletes" such as firefighters, policemen and the military have high work related injuries and new research could lead to advances in on-the-job physical training and health care. Reducing injuries could save municipalities, taxpayers and the families of firefighters thousands of dollars in health care related costs.

Gulf Breeze, FL (Vocus) October 2, 2009 -- Renowned orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeon Dr. James Andrews and performance training company Athletes' Performance are widely known for taking care of elite professional athletes. However, both organizations continually provide care and training for many types of "athletes" and new research is now focused on them. Researchers located at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, Fla., founded by Dr. James Andrews, have recently finished collecting biomechanical data that may identify the potential for firefighter injury. The collaborative research study has been lead by two Ph.D. students from the University of Waterloo in Canada in conjunction with the Andrews Institute, Athletes' Performance and over 75 members of the Pensacola Fire Department.

Due to the physically demanding and unpredictable nature of their work, "occupational athletes" such as firefighters, soldiers, and police officers are frequently injured in the line of duty. These noble "occupational athletes" are frequently placed in high risk, volatile environments wherein it would be difficult if not impossible to implement ergonomic strategies to reduce the associated risk. Consequently, many public protectors and servants are forced to accept the risk of damaging their body and must selflessly cope with chronic pain and disability. Injured firefighte
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