Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness, and Occupational Performance in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction. Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires firefighters to be in peak physical condition. However, many firefighters have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, impaired musculoskeletal health, and are not physically fit for duty, which all negatively impact their occupational performance. Therefore, the aim of this review is to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance in firefighters. Methods. The electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched online via the library portal of the University of the Western Cape. Publications and grey literature between the years 2000 to present were used. In total, 2607 articles were identified; after the removal of duplicates 1188 articles were then screened, and were excluded for not meeting initial screening criteria. The remaining 209 full-text articles were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, where 163 articles were excluded. Only studies that were quantitative were included. This left 46 articles that were then finally included in the current narrative review. Results. The current literature indicated that significant relationships existed between cardiovascular risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance. The results indicated firefighters who were aged, obese, physically inactive, cigarette smokers, and unfit were at the highest risk for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health complications, and unsatisfactory occupational performance. Musculoskeletal health complications significantly affected occupational performance and work ability and were related to physical fitness of firefighters. Most cardiovascular risk factors were related to physical fitness, and all physical fitness parameters were related to occupational performance in firefighters. Conclusion. The overwhelming evidence in the current review established that physical fitness is related to occupational performance. However, the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and musculoskeletal health in relation to occupational performance is less clear and still understudied. Significant gaps remain in the literature.

Association between Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal Health in Firefighters

“…Moreover, studies have shown that HRV was linked to overtraining and overuse, providing a potential link between HRV and MSH, 54,55 particularly in the firefighter population, which is known to be a physically demanding profession. In this current study, higher levels of vigorous weekly physical activity had a protective effect on the prevalence of MSIs of firefighters, which is not unexpected, given the protective effect of physical activity on musculoskeletal health, which is well documented in firefighters 5,29 . This is in contrast to a previous study in this population, which noted higher weekly physical activity was related to an increase in MSIs 56 .…”

“…During physically intense duty–related activity, firefighters often reach or even exceed their maximum age-predicted heart rates, 2,4 with many activities requiring forceful repetitive muscular contractions. This necessitates that firefighters maintain good cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health to assist in performing their duties with sufficient speed and efficiency 5 …”

“…This necessitates that firefighters maintain good cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health to assist in performing their duties with sufficient speed and efficiency. 5 Studies have indicated that an alarming number of firefighters have several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and poor cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics, which significantly predisposes them to sustaining a sudden cardiac event while on active duty. [6][7][8][9] In addition, firefighters often sustain musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) while performing fire suppression and other emergency duties.…”

Поведенческие Факторы Риска У Пациентов С Инфарктом Миокарда И Различной Профессиональной Принадлежностью (Исследование В Пилотной Группе)

“…В большинстве групп недельная ФА до ИМ была низкой. На примере исследований с пожарными и с медицинскими работниками наибольшее число осложнений со стороны сердечно-сосудистой системы также отмечалось в случаях минимального уровня ФА [26,27].…”

Procesos selectivos de bomberos: revisión de las convocatorias con pruebas físicas en España

“…Por la dificultad de la actividad profesional de un bombero es necesario hacer una correcta selección inicial, ajustada a los requerimientos del desempeño de puesto (Xu et al, 2020), pero sin olvidar la importancia de realizar un seguimiento y evaluación de competencias y desempeño longitudinal, pues su estado general puede verse afectado si su formación o entrenamiento no son acertados ni regulares (Llinás, 2004). Existe una abrumadora evidencia científica sobre la relación significativa entre la aptitud física, los factores de riesgo, y el desempeño profesional, aunque es necesaria una mayor evidencia entre la aptitud muscular y el rendimiento laboral (Ras et al, 2022).…”