Firefighters are among occupations with the highest rate of work injury absence. Yearly more than 8–11% of firefighters are injured at work which contributes to 144 paid sick days per 100 firefighters. Recent studies have shown an important correlation between work absence and obesity among firefighters. Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with higher rate of work injury absence. In the USA the costs associated with work-related injuries and illnesses among obese class II and III (BMI ≥ 35) firefighters were estimated at $1,682.90 yearly, among obese class I (BMI 30.0 – 34.9) firefighters at $254.00 yearly and among overweight (BMI 25.0 – 29.9) firefighters at $74.41.The aim of our study was therefore to evaluate the prevalence of obesity among voluntary firefighters in Slovenia, to find its correlation to other chronic diseases in this specific population, and according to results, to prepare specific practical programs to improve it.100 voluntary firefighters from 5 fire departments in Slovenia were included in the study. Their mean age was 35 (min 17, max 63). 85% were men. 50 of them belong to basic group and 50 to group which uses self-contained breathing apparatus. The data for the study were obtained from results of mandatory regular preventive medical check-ups conducted by two specialists in occupational and sports medicine.For presentation of sample group and prevalence of obesity and other chronic diseases descriptive methods were used. Pearson chi-squared test was used to evaluate the differences between obese/non-obese group and basic/demanding group. α < 0,05 was considered as statistically significant. All information is anonymous and all participants in the study agreed that their personal information is used for the purposes of the study.50% of firefighters were non-smokers, 38,1 % smokers and 11,9 % ex-smokers. 55,2 % of firefighters were physically active enough according to EFSMA recommendations. 37% had normal weight, 42% were overweight and 21% were obese (Figure 1). The prevalence of chronic diseases in our study group was as follows: musculoskeletal disorders 24%, hypertension 10%, lung disease 4%, heart disease 2%, diabetes mellitus 1%, and mental disorders 1%, no cancer in our study group. Firefighters belonging to the basic group were more obese (p = 0,005) than firefighters from the group with self-contained breathing apparatus. Obese firefighters in both groups have significantly more chronic diseases (p = 0,000) especially due to higher incidence of hypertension (p = 0,002) and heart diseases (p = 0,022).To improve health status of voluntary firefighters, the implementation of specific preventive and therapeutic strategies, focused especially on lowering the incidence and prevalence of obesity, hypertension, heart diseases and musculoskeletal disorders is necessary. Fire departments in Slovenia are very appropriate way to reach groups of people to implement preventive strategies because their members gather regularly on weekly basis. So our next step is to introduce European Fe...

Večina športnikov s covidom-19 nima simptomov ali pa ima blage simptome, a vse več je primerov, ko simptomi vztrajajo še nekaj tednov do mesecev po okužbi. Najpogosteje so prizadeta dihala, vendar so lahko v sklopu sistemskega vnetja prizadeti tudi drugi organski sistemi. Športnika najbolj ogroža prizadetost srčno-žilnega sistema. Pri obravnavi je potrebno poleg srčno-žilnega sistema in dihal upoštevati tudi druge organske sisteme, ki jih lahko covid-19 prizadene (centralni in periferni živčni sistem, prebavila, skeletne mišice …). Pri športnikih so v posameznih primerih ugotavljali različno stopnjo prizadetosti miokarda, kar je lahko povezano z razvojem miokarditisa, ki je pomemben vzrok za nenadno srčno smrt športnikov. V prispevku predstavljamo vračanje v proces treniranja po prebolelem covidu-19 za tri skupine športnikov: tekmovalni športniki, športniki otroci (do 15 let) in zelo aktivni rekreativni športniki. Razdelili smo jih v štiri skupine glede na potek covida-19: športniki brez simptomov, športniki z blagimi simptomi, športniki s težjimi ali z vztrajajočimi simptomi (≥ 14 dni) in športniki s težjim potekom bolezni, ki zahteva bolnišnično obravnavo. Vsebina prispevka je usklajena s trenutnim znanjem, z omejevalnimi ukrepi, organizacijo zdravstvenega varstva športnikov in zmogljivostmi zdravstvenega sistema v Sloveniji. Treba jo bo prilagajati novimi dognanjem.

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) means an elevated body core temperature above 40°C with central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction that occurs during physical activity. EHS and its progression to multiorgan-dysfunction syndrome are due to a complex interplay among the acute physiological alterations associated with hyperthermia, the direct cytotoxicity of heat, the inflammatory response of the host and coagulation system failure. There are only a few studies regarding epidemiology of exertional heat stroke among different sports and it occurs at a rate of 1.20 per 100,000 athletes from known data.A 31-year old woman participated in 12.5 km road race. Before the run, she drank only 250 millilitres of water. She was generally healthy and one month ago, she finished a marathon without any problems but this time her friends had to encourage her to run after 90 minutes of running and approximately 5 km uphill. She was hot and her friends started to cool her after she sat down. She drank another 2 decilitres of water. Then she stopped talking and lost her consciousness but was still breathing. At the arrival of the emergency medical team her rectal temperature was 41.5°C (Figure 1), oxygen saturation 97%, blood glucose 7.0 mmol/l, and heart rate and blood pressure as shown on Figure 2. She started vomiting and got generalised convulsions. Cooling measures were instituted immediately using 1500 ml of ice-cold saline solution and 500 ml of colloid solution intravenously (i.v.) and ice packs were applied to the neck, groin and axilla. She was intubated. She was cooled further with cold saline solution (1500 ml i.v.) and ice packs at Emergency department (ED).In the ED, patient’s vital functions were supported (Figure 2). First electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed sinus tachycardia with ST depression in inferior (II, III, aVF) and precordial (V3-V6) leads. Second ECG showed sinus rhythm with a rate of 86 beats per minute with inverted T waves in inferior leads (III and aVF) and ST depression was gone.Because of elevated troponin and ECG changes, the echocardiogram was done but did not present any significant abnormal finding except very mild mitral valve regurgitation in parasternal long axis view.Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) at start was 13.73°C and at the time of collapse it was 15.65°C which is not defined as increased risk for EHS according to the literature. The patient suffered from hyperthermia and associated complications because of inadequate hydration. Dehydration and hypovolemia combined with excessive vasodilatation led to hypotension that was treated with aggressive fluid replacement and vasoactive drugs. Elevated Troponin I and ECG changes were caused by direct heat-induced heart tissue injury and an exercise-induced increase in myocardial sarcolemmal permeability.EHS is a life-threatening condition thus prompt recognition and treatment with rapid cooling are crucial for survival. It can occur in any weather condition, so EHS should be considered as the differential diagnosis in all collapsed athletes and rectal t...