A Pilot Study on the Relationship between Cardiovascular Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness and Occupational Performance in Firefighters

Abstract

Firefighters’ face life threatening situations and are frequently exposed to numerous physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of conducting a large-scale study on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance of firefighters. We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study by recruiting 36 firefighters. A researcher-generated questionnaire and physical measures were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance using a physical ability test (PAT). We documented a high equipment and intra-assessor reliability (r > 0.9). The potential logistic and/or administrative obstacles in the context of a larger study were discerned. Data were successfully retrieved using available equipment and survey instruments. Hypertension (30.6%) dyslipidaemia (33.3%), obesity (36.1%) and physical inactivity (66.7%) were the most prevalent cardiovascular disease risk factors. A significant difference between genders in total PAT completion time was also seen (p < 0.001). Cardiorespiratory fitness, lean body mass, grip strength and leg strength were significantly associated with occupational performance (p < 0.001). The pilot study supports the larger study feasibility and verified equipment and assessors’ reliability for research. Cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness may be related to PAT performance.

Baseline data and associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, blood pressure, hemogram, and lifestyle among wildland firefighters

“…However, these data should be considered with caution since recent studies have highlighted that the percentage of body fat is a better measurement of obesity than BMI ( 65 , 66 ) mainly because weight can reflect a higher muscle mass rather than body adipocyte mass, thus leading to possible misclassification of obesity. Moreover, the self-reported low physical activity in most of the subjects ( Table 1 ) is concerning because sedentarism has also been linked to higher cardiovascular risk among firefighters ( 11 , 67 ).…”

“…Besides relevant exposure to exogenous agents, endogenous characteristics and lifestyle can contribute to altered immunological parameters ( 67 , 71 , 139 ). Less active firefighters presented lower LYM than those that are more active ( Supplementary Table S3 ).…”

The Effect of Craniosacral Therapy on Blood Levels of Stress Hormones

“…A very good prevention of cardiovascular disease is physical activity, which firefighters, by virtue of their profession, should have a high level of [33]. Firefighters are also exposed to heat stress, which is associated with cerebral oxygenation and vascular hemodynamics, and, in turn, can affect cognitive decline [34].…”

Evaluation of the relationship between occupational-specific task performance and measures of physical fitness, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health in firefighters

“…Data collection took place during annual physical fitness assessments at a standardized fire station located in the City of Cape Town (CCT) metropolitan area to assure consistency in the terrain, environmental conditions and testing surface. To ensure the consistency and reliability of the testing results, all physical measures and the occupational-specific tasks were collected and recorded by trained researchers that were familiarised with all the testing instruments and research procedures [ 35 ]. Every third firefighter from the 96 platoons (32 fire stations) was selected using random systematic sampling.…”

“…The step-up required firefighters to perform 30 step-ups on a standardized platform of 200 mm and were given a time limit of 90 s. The charged hose drag and pull required firefighters to drag a tyre 27 m, drop to one knee or in a seated position, pull a tyre another 15 m and had a time limit of 180 s. The firefighters moved to the forcible entry task where they were required pick up a 6-kg sledgehammer to drive the tyre 600 mm in under 60 s. For the equipment carry, firefighters were tasked to remove two 25 kg foam drums from a 1.2-m platform, carry the foam drums 25 m and walk back another 25 m, placing the drums back on the platform which needed to be completed in under 90 s. For the ladder raise and extension firefighters were tasked to walk a seven-to-eight-meter ladder toward a building, place the ladder against the building and immediately walk toward a hauling line and hoist a 35 kg drum until it reaches the pulley and then lower the drum, in under the time limit of 90 s. Then, firefighters lower the ladder and walk the ladder back to the starting position. The rescue drag required firefighters to grasp an 80 kg tyre and drag the tyre 11 m, perform a 180-degree turn and continue for another 11 m toward the finish line in under 60 s. A full description of the occupational-specific tasks can be found in Ras et al [ 35 ].…”