Harald Oseland

Norwegian version of this page Department of Natural Sciences, Practical-Aesthetic, Social and Religious Studies

Press photo

Norwegian version of this page Position

Assistant Professor

Contact

+4741211610

harald.oseland@hiof.no

Study place

Halden

Office nr.

FU2-68

Academic interests

My main interests are in sports and work physiology. For a number of years I have been testing athletes and exercisers of various ages at the College's test lab in Fredrikstad. I am passionate about both performance and health training in a lifelong perspective.

I see the importance of children and young people being physically activite - both for the pleasure, but also for the basis this provides for later life. Playing is a good place for social development in a community, and selfimprovement physically and mentally. Some will use this as performance-based activities, while for others it is a basis for good health and physical, mental and social functioning.

Today we also know that physical function and health have an anchoring in motor skills that develop through children's play. "Have you learned to ride a bicycle ..." is known. Play and varied activities in early age, is important for later daily tasks, daily functioning and good health. That is why I am concerned that kindergartens and schools should be able to facilitate diverse activites and experiences in different environments, with different tools in all seasons.

Courses taught

Physical education in teacher education for school and kindergarten and one-year programme in physical education.

Background

Work experience

Assistant professor in sports at Østfold University College since 1995, with responsibility for training, sports physiology, physical education, swimming and ball games.

Education

Subject in Sports Physiology at second degree level, Norwegian University of Sport Sciences
Cand.mag in Sport lecturer, Norwegian University of Sport Sciences

Appointments

Safety representative for The Faculty of Education, since 2003
The University's representative in The Olympic Sports Commitee in Østfold, 2014 - 2017
Test responsibility at the University's test laboratory - Sports Medicine Test Laboratory (IMTL)

Partners

I have had research partners with colleagues at Western Norway University of Applied Science, Statens arbeidsmiljøinstitutt (the National Institute of Occupational Health, my translation), Kristiania University College, UiT- The Artic University of Norway and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.

As an exam sensor, I have been engaged at University of Stavanger, University of Agder, University of South-Eastern Norway, Norwegian University of Sport Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Science and UIT - The Arctic University of Norway.

Mamen, Asgeir; Heimburg, Erna Dianne von; Oseland, Harald & Medbø, Jon Ingulf (2019). Examination of a new functional firefighter fitness test. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE). ISSN 1080-3548. 27(2), p. 460–471. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2019.1627075. Show summary
Firefighters must meet certain physical requirements. This study compares the demands of a new firefighting-specific tasks test with an existing laboratory test. Thirty-five male subjects were tested. In both tests, the subjects wore a complete firefighting outfit including breathing apparatus, but not the usual facemask. Test durations were 8 min (existing test) vs ≈10 min (new test). Peak oxygen uptake was similar in the tests, ≈45 ml · kg-1 min-1. The time with an oxygen uptake above 35 ml kg-1 min-1 was longer in the new test, 6.4 vs 4.7 min. The results suggest that the new test is as demanding as the traditional test and offers the advantages of being more specific. The new test could therefore serve as an alternative to the existing test. Based on regression analysis of the two tests, a pass/fail time of 10 min 30 s is suggested.
Medbø, Jon Ingulf; Mamen, Asgeir; Oseland, Harald & Heimburg, Erna Dianne von (2019). The steady-state load of five firefighting tasks. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE). ISSN 1080-3548. 26(1), p. 173–180. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2019.1573013. Full text in Research Archive
Barene, Svein; Holtermann, Andreas; Oseland, Harald; Brekke, Ole Lars & Krustrup, Peter (2016). Effects on muscle strength, maximal jump height, flexibility and postural sway after soccer and Zumba exercise among female hospital employees: A 9-month randomized controlled trial. Journal of Sports Sciences. ISSN 0264-0414. 34(19), p. 1849–1858. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1140906. Show summary
This 9-month randomised controlled workplace physical activity trial investigated the effects of soccer and Zumba exercise, respectively, on muscle strength, maximal jump height, sit-and-reach flexibility and postural sway among female workers. A total of 107 female hospital employees aged 25–63 were cluster-randomised to a soccer group, a Zumba group or a control group. Training was conducted outside working hours as two to three 1-h weekly sessions the first 3 months and once a week the last 6 months. Tests were conducted at baseline, after 3 and 9 months. The soccer group improved maximal neck extension strength both after 3 (1.2 kg; P < 0.05) and 9 months (1.7 kg; P < 0.01) compared to the control group. The Zumba group improved maximal trunk extension strength (3.1 kg; P = 0.04) after 3 months, with improvements in postural sway velocity moment (−9.2 mm2/s; P < 0.05) and lower limb lean mass (0.4 kg; P < 0.05) after 9 months. No significant intervention effects were revealed in vertical jump height or sit-and-reach flexibility. The present study indicates that workplace-initiated soccer and Zumba exercise may be beneficial for improvement of the neck and trunk strength, which may have preventive effects with regard to future perceived muscle pain in the respective body regions. Furthermore, the Zumba group revealed positive effects on lower limb lean mass and postural sway compared to the control group.
Mamen, Asgeir; Oseland, Harald & Medbø, Jon Ingulf (2013). A comparison of two physical ability tests for firefighters. Ergonomics. ISSN 0014-0139. 56(10), p. 1558–1568. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2013.821171. Show summary
Smoke diving is physically demanding, and firefighters must therefore meet certain minimum physical requirements. The aim of this study was to compare the physiological demands of two fire fitness tests: a test of 8-min treadmill walking approved by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA) (a laboratory test) and a Canadian test consisting of 10 firefighting specific tasks carried out in sequence (an applied field test). If the Canadian field test is as physically demanding as the NLIA-approved laboratory test, it may be suitable for testing Norwegian firefighters. Twenty-two male professional firefighters were tested on separate days. In both tests, the subjects wore a complete firefighting outfit including a breathing apparatus. The test durations were 8 min (NLIA test) versus approximately 6 min (Canadian test). Neither the peak O2 uptake (VO2) of approximately 45 ml kg − 1 min − 1 nor the blood lactate concentration (BLC) at test termination ( ≈ 9 mmol L − 1) differed between the two tests. Rating of perceived exertion (RPECR-10) was lower for the Canadian test than for the Norwegian test (5.2 ± 1.5 vs. 7.0 ± 2.0, respectively), and the exercise time at a high VO2 was also shorter. In conclusion, the Canadian test appeared to be almost as physically demanding as the NLIA-approved test, having equal peak VO2 and BLC, but shorter time at a high VO2 and shorter duration. It might thus be a suitable alternative to the NLIA test with some modifications. The advantage of the Canadian field test is the inclusion of specific firefighting-like tasks that are not part of the NLIA test.

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Sveen, Ole; Farholm, Anders; Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Oseland, Harald (2019). Motivation, physical fitness, and vitality in 5th grade pupils taking part in physical activity classes organized by a local sport team.
Oseland, Harald (2017). "Flesk og Duppe" (Jan Henrik Ihlebek og Finn Børge) besøker Idrettsmedisinsk Testlaboratorium, Høgskolen i Østfold. [Radio]. NRK Østfold / NRK1+.
Oseland, Harald (2017). "Flesk og Duppe" (Jan Henrik Ihlebek og Finn Børge) besøker Idrettsmedisinsk Testlaboratorium, Høgskolen i Østfold. [Radio]. NRK Østfold / NRK1+.
Mamen, Asgeir; Medbø, Jon Ingulf; von Heimburg, Erna Dianne & Oseland, Harald (2017). Examination of a new work-specific firefighter fitness test. Acta Physiologica. ISSN 1748-1708. 219. doi: 10.1111/apha.12841. Show summary
Introduction Smoke divers must meet certain physical requirements. In Norway, they are required to pass a physical fitness test each year, made by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA). The exercises are general: treadmill walk, pull-ups and squats all performed in smoke diving outfit and SCBA air supply. Making the test more specific would possibly provide a better evaluation of the smoke diver and his abilities to perform fire suppression actions. We have studied the demands of a new firefighter fitness test, with 12 firefighting-specific tasks, to investigate whether this test may serve as an alternative to the existing laboratory test. Methods Thirty-five male subjects were tested while performing their best. In both tests, the subjects wore a complete firefighting outfit, including a breathing apparatus. Results The test durations were 8 minutes (existing test) vs. ˜10 minutes (new test), while the peak oxygen uptake was similar in the tests, ˜45 ml/kg/minute. Time with an oxygen uptake above 35 ml/kg/minute was longer in the new test, at 6.4 vs. 4.7 minutes. There was a quite close linear relationship between the two sets of performance scores. Conclusion The results suggest that the new field test is as demanding as the traditional test, and offers the advantages of being more specific. The new test could therefore serve as an alternative to the existing test with a pass/fail time of 10 minutes 30 seconds.
Medbø, Jon Ingulf; von Heimburg, Erna Dianne; Mamen, Asgeir & Oseland, Harald (2017). The steady state load of firefighting tasks. Acta Physiologica. ISSN 1748-1708. 219, p. 31–31. Show summary
Introduction Firefighters must be able to perform a variety of strenuous tasks. The energy demand of simulated firefighting has been measured in several studies, but few have measured the steady-state load of typical firefighting tasks. Thus, we aimed at measuring the aerobic demands of five common tasks in firefighting. Methods Ten firefighters performed the following five tasks at a preset steady pace for 5 minutes each: walking without load, walking carrying a ladder (10 kg mass), walking carrying two empty hoses (16 kg mass), walking carrying a spreader-tool (32 kg mass) and climbing up and down a ladder. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, oxygen uptake and RPE (Borg CR0-10 scale) were measured. Results The oxygen uptake rose from ˜2 L/minutes when walking to ˜3 L/minutes when carrying the load of 32 kg. Climbing the ladder drove the oxygen uptake to >4 L/minutes. Heart rate rose from 120 to 180 (˜95% of HRmax) bpm, and blood lactate increased from 1.6 to 6.6 mM. The perceived exertion rose from 1.6 (fairly light) to 6.2 (hard/very hard). Conclusion The measurements show that typical tasks for firefighters are physiologically strenuous. Although a specific task is rarely performed for a prolonged time, as in this case, the results show that a firefighter must be well fit to be able to complete fire suppression tasks in sequence, as they will have to in a real situation.
Mamen, Asgeir; Medbø, Jon Ingulf; von Heimburg, Erna Dianne & Oseland, Harald (2016). Examination of a new work-specific firefighter fitness test. Show summary
Introduction: Smoke divers must meet certain physical requirements. In Norway they are required to pass a physical fitness test each year, made by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA). The exercises are general: Treadmill walk, pull-ups and squats all performed in smoke diving clothing and SCBA air supply. Making the test more specific, would possibly provide a better evaluation of the smoke diver and his abilities to perform fire suppression actions. We have studied the demands of a new firefighter fitness test, with 12 firefighting-specific tasks, to see whether this test may serve as an alternative to the existing laboratory test. Methods: Thirty-five male subjects were tested. In both tests, the subjects wore a complete firefighting outfit, including a breathing apparatus. Results: The test durations were 8 min (existing test) vs. ≈10 min (new test), while the peak oxygen uptake was similar in the tests, ~45 ml·kg–1 ·min–1. Time with an oxygen uptake above 35 ml·kg-1·min-1 was longer in the new test, at 6.4 vs. 4.7 min. Conclusion: The results suggest that the new field test is as demanding as the traditional test, and offers the advantages of being more specific. The new test could therefore serve as an alternative to the existing test with a pass/fail time of 10 min 30 s.
Mamen, Asgeir; Oseland, Harald & Medbø, Jon Ingulf (2012). Physical fitness of municipal smoke divers.
Mamen, Asgeir; Oseland, Harald & Medbø, Jon Ingulf (2010). Fire fit? A comparison of two fitness tests for fire fighters. Show summary
Fire-fighting is physical demanding, and the fire fighters must be fit to manage their tasks. In Norway the fire fighters each year must pass a fitness test designed by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA). This test is composed of four different tasks that are carried out while the fire fighter is dressed up for smoke diving, carrying an extra weight of 23 kg. In order to pass, the fire fighter must do a minimum number of repetitions of strength exercises and sustain 8 min of treadmill walking at a speed of 5.6 km/h, with an inclination for the last 6 min of 12%. This test is not very fire-fighting specific regarding the tasks to complete and therefore is regarded as less relevant by many fire fighters. The Canadian Department of Defence has developed a field test that uses more fire-fighting specific tasks that are performed in succession and timed. The aim of our study was to compare the two tests on energy requirements. Sixteen professional fire fighters participated, mean (SD) age 36.4 (8.2) yr, body mass 86.4(9.8) kg. They were all well familiarised with the Canadian test. Oxygen uptake during the two tests was measured with a portable metabolic analyser, Metamax II (Cortex Biophysik, Leipzig, Germany) and blood lactate concentration with a Lactate Pro LP1710 analyser (Arkray Inc, Kyoto, Japan). Rating of exertion was done with the Borg CR scale (Noble, Borg, Jacolis, Ceci, Kaiser, 1983). The peak oxygen uptake relative to body mass was similar in the two tests; mean [95%CI]: 46.6 [44.4-49.1] ml/kg/min (NLIA test) and 46.7 [43.6-49.8] ml/kg/min (Canadian test). The time with an oxygen consumption above 30 ml/kg/min was significantly longer at the NLIA test, 373 [348-398] s vs. 293 [272-314] s, (P = 0.001). Blood lactate concentration after the tests were equal, 9.1 [7.1-11.1] mmol/L for the NLIA test and 9.2 [7.8-10.6] mmol/L for the Canadian test. The rating of exertion was less for the Canadian test (5.2 [4.4-6.0]) than for the NLIA test 7.0 [5.9-8.1] (P = 0.006). Conclusion: As the physical demands were similar for the two tests and the Canadian test is more specific, this test may be more suitable for the fitness assessment of fire fighters.
Medbø, Jon Ingulf; Heimburg, Erna Dianne von; Oseland, Harald & Mamen, Asgeir (2010). O2 uptake during fire fighting-like activities. Show summary
Introduction Fire-fighting may be physically demanding, and consequently there are physical minimum requirements on firefighters. Tests used are either typical laboratory-tests or applied tests where the firefighters carry out fire fighting-like activities. The physical demand of applied tests is not known. We have therefore measured the 02 uptake directly, using a portable instrument (Metamax II, (Cortex Biophysik, Leipzig, Germany), while firefighters carried out one of two different applied tests. As reference the maximal 02 uptake during an incremental treadmill test, an extended version of the test approved by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA) for approving Norwegian firefighters, was also measured. A major aim of the studies was to compare energy requirements of the different tests. Methods First 22 professional firefighters in Trondheim fire brigade, Norway, (21 men, one woman) carried out an applied test used by this brigade for more than a decade. The main task was physically demanding work in a heat chamber, carrying heavy blocks of concrete. The test also included hose dragging, carrying cans, and several agility tasks. In a second study 16 professional firefighters at Fredrikstad fire brigade, Norway, carried out an applied test worked out by the The Canadian Department of Defence. This test uses more fire-fighting specific tasks that are performed in successsion and timed. The test includes hose dragging, several ladder climbs, and in addition carrying heavy matters. In both test series the firefighters were dressed up for smoke diving, carrying protective gear weighing altogether 23 kg. All subjects were well familiarized with the tests. Results Trondheim-test. The firefighters carried out the physical part of the Trondheim test in 8 to 17 min. Subjects with a high maximal 02 uptake carried out all parts of the test faster than less fit subjects did. The 02 uptake during the test averaged 2.9 L min-I (67% of max) and peaked at 3.5 L min-I (80% of max). The heart rate was above that corresponding to the lactate threshold during most of the test and approached the maximum heart rate near the end of the test. The blood lactate concentration at the end of the test was above 9 mmol L During the Canadian test the peak 02 uptake averaged 4.0 L min-I, which was the same as the peak 02 uptake at the extended NLIA-approved treadmill test. However, the duration of the Canadian test was less than that of the treadmill test. Moreover, while the average subject walked for >6 min with an 02 uptake >2.6 L min-I during the treadmill test, <5 min was spent above that intensity during the Canadian test. Discussion and conclusion Both tests were physically demanding and distinguished between physically fit and less fit subjects. However, presently there are no minimum requirements of either test. While the physical intensity of the Canadian test may be sufficiently high, its duration may be too short.
Oseland, Harald (2006). Lengdekontroll i putting - kun intuisjon - eller kan det læres? ?. p. 56–57.
Oseland, Harald (2004). MEDLEMSUTVIKLINGEN I HALDEN GOLFKLUBB 1990 - 2004. Show summary
Rapporten bygger på gjennomgang av Halden golfklubbs medlemslister fra oppstarten i 1990 til 2003 (2004). Ettersom alle medlemmer er gitt et fortløpende nr i det de melder seg inn i klubben, kan man ikke bare se på antall medlemmer, men også hvilke medlemsnr som til enhver tid er aktive (betalt medlemskontigent). Dermed er medlemsmassen vurdert i forhold til vekst og avgang. Ettersom golfsesongen avsluttes på høsten, er medlemstallene for 2004 også tatt delvis i bruk for noen av vurderingene.
Oseland, Harald; Ambjørnsen, Inger Karine & Brynildsen, Jan-Lorang (2004). IMTL – Idrettsmedisinsk testlaboratorium : et avdelingsovergripende tiltak mellom Avdeling for lærerutdanning og Avdeling for helse- og sosialfag : vurdering av utviklingspotensiale og satsing fremover. Høgskolen i Østfold. Show summary
Rapporten er resultat av et arbeid, gjort av en nedsatt faggruppe som vurderte tidligere og fremtidig drift av arbeidsfysiologisk testlaboratorium. Faggruppen vurderte erfaringer som er gjort i de årene laboratoriet har vært i drift. Utstyret som hadde vært i bruk, slitasje og nødvendig utstyr for fremtidig drift ble også tatt i betraktning. Inntekter og utgifter ble lagt til grunn for stipulering av størrelsen på disse i årene som kommer. En sammenligning av andre høgskolers tilsvarende laboratorier ble også gjort for å se alternative driftsformer. På bakgrunn av dette konkluderte gruppen med at IMTL kunne ha vekstpotensiale i alle sektorene som testlaboratoriet var ment å drive med; undervisning, FoU og eksternt finansiert virksomhet.
Oseland, Harald (2000). Kraftplattformen, utstyr og fremgangsmåte - en brukerveiledning. privat.
Ambjørnsen, Inger Karine; Whist, Jon Elling & Oseland, Harald (1999). Submaksimalt og maksimalt oksygenopptak på røkdykkere i Fredrikstad brannvesen. Høgskolen i Østfold.

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Published June 12, 2018 4:20 PM - Last modified June 15, 2021 9:00 AM