Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters

Ras, Jaron; Smith, Denise L.; Soteriades, Elpidoforos S.; Kengne, André Pascal; Leach, Lloyd

doi:10.3390/ijerph20115930

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Similarly, other adolescents and adults who improved cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength were more likely to maintain adequate blood pressure levels 37 . Likewise, the study by Ras et al 38 suggests that higher VO2max is associated with lower blood pressure and greater abdominal repetitions. Similar findings were observed according to Correa-Rodríguez et al 39 , lower strength in dynamometry was associated with increased cardiometabolic risk probabilities and higher blood pressure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Association between physical fitness and body composition with blood pressure in night school students in Brazil

Batista Lemes,

Brand,

Morales Bernal

et al. 2023

Journ. M. Health

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Aim: To compare levels of physical fitness and body composition according to the cardiovascular risk group in blood pressure for each gender among evening students. Methods: The sample consisted of 186 students (121 males) attending a night school in southern Brazil, aged between 15 and 30 years (mean:17.51 ± 3.62 years in males and 17.74 ± 2.71 years in females), without a diagnosis of hypertension and no limitations for performing physical fitness tests. Data on strength were collected through the sit-up test, and VO2max was estimated through the sixminute walk/run test, for both cases following the PROESP-Br protocol. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and hip circumference were also assessed. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated using the Korotkoff technique. Results: There are significant interactions and differences between gender and risk categories, mainly for blood pressure profiles to SBP (effect R2 =0.465; p=0.001) and DBP (effect R2=0.243; p=0.001). Participants with higher physical fitness exhibit better blood pressure. In the risk group, men showed a difference of 7.71 kg compared to the healthy risk group, while in women, the difference was 27.59 kg. Conclusion: The level of physical fitness and body composition are associated with cardiovascular risk in blood pressure according to the risk group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Association between physical fitness and body composition with blood pressure in night school students in Brazil

Batista Lemes,

Brand,

Morales Bernal

et al. 2023

Journ. M. Health

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“…Body mass and Lean body mass (LBM) was used as a measure for body composition and assessed using a bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analyser (Tanita© BC-1000 Plus BIA scale). For a full description of the methods used to assess physical fitness consult the study published by: Ras et al [ 38 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Ras,

Soteriades,

Smith

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Introduction Firefighters are required to perform physically strenuous tasks such as hose drags, victim rescues, forcible entries and stair climbs to complete their public safety mission. Occupational-specific tasks are often used to evaluate the ability of firefighters to adequately/safely perform their duties. Depending on the regions, occupational-specific tasks include six to eight individual tasks, which emphasize distinct aspects of their physical fitness, while also requiring different levels of cardiovascular (CVH) and musculoskeletal health (MSH). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between specific occupational task performance and measures of physical fitness, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 282 full-time male and female firefighters were recruited. A researcher-generated questionnaire and physical measures were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, CVH, MSH and weekly physical activity habits. Physical measures were used to collect data on physical fitness and occupational-specific task performance. Results Absolute cardiorespiratory fitness (abV̇O2max), grip strength, leg strength, push-ups, sit-ups and lean body mass (all p < 0.001) had an inverse association with completion times on all occupational-specific tasks. Age was positively related to the performance of all tasks (all p < 0.05). Higher heart rate variability (HRV) was associated with better performance on all tasks (all p < 0.05). Bodyfat percentage (BF%) and diastolic blood pressure were positively associated with the step-up task (p < 0.05). Lower back musculoskeletal injury (LoBMSI), musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD), and lower limb MSD were associated with a decreased odds of passing the step-up. Upper body MSIs (UBMSI), LoBMSIs and Lower back MSD were associated with decreased odds of passing the rescue drag. Conclusion Firefighters that were taller, leaner, stronger and fitter with a more favourable CVH profile, higher HRV and less musculoskeletal discomfort performed best on all occupational-specific tasks.

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“…In addition, age was inversely related to maximal oxygen consumption, number of push-ups, sit-up repetitions, and flexibility [16]. Concurrently, a negative correlation was observed between body fat percentage and absolute maximal oxygen consumption, leg strength, handgrip strength, the count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed, and lean body mass [16]. Comparable results were documented in a study of Spanish firefighters, which identified age, weight, and total body fat as significant predictors of maximal oxygen consumption, with total body fat being identified as the most significant predictor [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Low cardiorespiratory fitness has been identified as a contributory factor towards the onset of health problems such as obesity, hypertension, and heart disease, all of which are increasing with advanced age [15]. Moreover, research conducted by Ras et al (2023) investigating the relationship between physical fitness and cardiovascular well-being in firefighters revealed that poor cardiovascular health was negatively associated with relative oxygen consumption, leg strength, and the count of push-up repetitions [16]. In addition, age was inversely related to maximal oxygen consumption, number of push-ups, sit-up repetitions, and flexibility [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, research conducted by Ras et al (2023) investigating the relationship between physical fitness and cardiovascular well-being in firefighters revealed that poor cardiovascular health was negatively associated with relative oxygen consumption, leg strength, and the count of push-up repetitions [16]. In addition, age was inversely related to maximal oxygen consumption, number of push-ups, sit-up repetitions, and flexibility [16]. Concurrently, a negative correlation was observed between body fat percentage and absolute maximal oxygen consumption, leg strength, handgrip strength, the count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed, and lean body mass [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters

Parpa,

Michaelides

2024

Muscles

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This study’s primary objective was to examine the differences in body composition, abdominal strength, absolute and relative power, handgrip strength, one repetition maximum for squat and bench press, and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions executed within a minute across different age cohorts of firefighters. Furthermore, this study aimed to evaluate the age-related differences in firefighters’ completion times of six firefighting tasks. Eighty-four male volunteer firefighters (age 33.79 ± 6.97 years) were grouped into three age categories, 20–30 years, 31–40 years, and 41–50 years, and underwent the aforementioned evaluations. One-way analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that age exerts a statistically significant influence (p < 0.001) on body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Furthermore, age significantly affected the overall time of the ability test (p < 0.001) and the duration required to accomplish each individual task (p < 0.001). Additionally, age significantly affected abdominal strength, relative power (as measured by the step test), and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed within a minute. These outcomes support earlier research indicating an age-associated decrement in physical fitness parameters among firefighters. It is recommended that firefighters prioritize maintaining strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles, upper body muscular endurance, and a healthy body weight. The emphasis on specific muscular groups is essential for improving task performance within this profession.

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Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters

Cited by 11 publications

References 77 publications

Association between physical fitness and body composition with blood pressure in night school students in Brazil

Association between physical fitness and body composition with blood pressure in night school students in Brazil

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

Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters

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