Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.
Easing the Load: Addressing Shoulder Injuries among Firefighters
Firefighters rush toward danger equipped with heavy gear and a relentless spirit. However, behind their heroic efforts lies a lesser known but common and debilitating condition: shoulder injuries. Shoulder injuries are a significant concern for firefighters, who often face intense physical demands in their line of work. This condition not only affects their physical health but also their ability to effectively respond to emergencies. Our study investigates the various causes or risk factors of shoulder injuries, including the repetitive lifting and carrying of heavy hoses and ladders, and the sudden, unpredictable movements required in rescue operations. To address these injuries, our study explored innovative solutions through enhanced hybrid training/exercise programs focused on strength and flexibility, ergonomic improvements to equipment, and better protective gear designs. Additionally, our study emphasizes the importance of early injury detection and tailored rehabilitation programs, to ensure firefighters can return to their duties safely and more resiliently.
Temitope Osifeso
PhD candidate, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences - Western University
Supervisor
Joy MacDermid (https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/pt/about/faculty/macdermid_j.html)
Temitope Osifeso is currently a PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, at Western University. During her MSc, she joined the FIREWELL (https://firewell.ca/about/) research team led by Dr Joy MacDermid at McMaster University to investigate the occupational health of firefighters. Her PhD research work at FIREWELL continues to focus on understanding work-related shoulder injuries among firefighters and developing tailored rehabilitation solutions. Temitope has received recognition and funding for her work including scholarships from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Additionally, she received the outstanding poster award at the 2023 World Physiotherapy Congress for her research work on the quality of life of public safety personnel with mental health disorders. Outside her academic pursuits, Temitope actively participates as a member of the Graduate Peer Support Society and the Racial Equity and Inclusivity Committee at Western University. She also serves as the 2023/2024 Vice President International Student Representative in the Health and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Student Society (HRSGSS).
Temitope's research is highlighted in episode 493 of GradCast, the official podcast of the Society of Graduate Students at Western University.
You can connect with Temitope on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/temitope-osifeso-40147810a/; on Instagram at @drtemifeso; and via email at tosifeso@uwo.ca.
View Temitope's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/665/.