Obesity is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. CVD is the leading cause of duty-related death among firefighters, and the prevalence of obesity is a growing concern in the Fire Service. Methods. Traditional CVD risk factors, novel measures of cardiovascular health and a measurement of CVD were described and compared between nonobese and obese career firefighters who volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study. Results. In the group of 116 men (mean age 43 ± 8 yrs), the prevalence of obesity was 51.7%. There were no differences among traditional CVD risk factors or the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score (criterion measure) between obese and nonobese men. However, significant differences in novel markers, including CRP, subendocardial viability ratio, and the ejection duration index, were detected. Conclusions. No differences in the prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors between obese and nonobese men were found. Additionally, CAC was similar between groups. However, there were differences in several novel risk factors, which warrant further investigation. Improved CVD risk identification among firefighters has important implications for both individual health and public safety.

Recent studies have suggested that acute static stretching (SS) decreases muscular strength and performance, particularly of the knee extensors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SS on peak concentric and eccentric torque production in the knee flexors. Subjects (13 women and 16 men) were tested for isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) peak torque at 2 velocities (60 and 210 degrees x s(-1)) before and after a 3-minute knee flexor SS protocol. Subjects also underwent a control day in which the isokinetic pre- and posttests were separated by 10 minutes of sitting rather than stretching. A sit and reach test was administered on both days to assess changes in flexibility that occurred as a result of the stretching or control protocols. The change in flexibility was significantly greater after stretching than after sitting. Changes in peak torque were not significantly different between the stretching and control conditions for either velocity or contraction type. Compared with the control condition, SS of the knee flexors before maximal isokinetic testing does not lead to significantly diminished CON or ECC torque output at slow or fast contraction velocities. These data suggest that moderate SS does not impact the performance of all muscle groups.

Salivary osmolality may be a sensitive indicator of moderate dehydration under carefully controlled conditions.