Effects of cardiovascular disease risk factors on cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters – a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

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

doi:10.1101/2022.08.29.22279323

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Systematic reviews support the aforementioned finding, where it has been reported that cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility were significantly related to reduction in injuries (de la Lisman et al, 2017;de la Motte et al, 2019). On the other hand, high weekly duty workloads may be related to insufficient time for recovery among firefighters (Vaulerin et al, 2016;Ras et al, 2022a;Ras and Leach, 2022). Monitoring of overall workload may allow fire departments to adjust the level of total physical activity firefighters are engaged in, either occupational activity or recreational activity, adjusting the workload to allow for more time for rest and recovery, thus reducing the likelihood of overload-related musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and/or MSIs (Yu et al, 2015;Bustos et al, 2022;Giuliani-Dewig et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…However, it is also possible that higher levels of physical fitness may cause firefighters to exert themselves more vigorously during emergency operations, thereby triggering workload-related feeling of MSD and chronic pain, and this may be exacerbated by repetitive movements (Rintala et al, 2015). Higher physical fitness has been shown to be related to improved occupational performance in firefighters, and it is logical to assume that increased levels of physical activity and physical fitness would also provide an additional benefit of better musculoskeletal health (MSH) (Ras et al, 2022a;Ras et al, 2022b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health in firefighters

et al. 2023

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Introduction: Firefighters are often placed in situations that require high levels of physical exertion, leading to significant strain on firefighters’ musculoskeletal system, predisposing them to musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and/or musculoskeletal injury (MSI). Physical fitness programs are often recommended and justified, in part, to prevent injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health (MSH) in firefighters.Methods: A total of 308 full-time firefighters took part in the study conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Physical fitness tests encompassed a non-exercise estimation for cardiorespiratory fitness, grip and leg strength for upper and lower body strength, push-ups and sit-ups for muscular endurance, and sit-and-reach for flexibility. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire were used to determine MSIs and MSD, respectively. A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance.Results: Every one-unit increase in AbVO2max, push-ups, sit-ups, and sit-and-reach decreased the odds of firefighters reporting MSIs by 5% (p = 0.005), 3% (p = 0.017), 3% (p = 0.006), and 3% (p = 0.034), respectively. Every one repetition increase in push-up capacity increased the odds of firefighters reporting neck, elbow and forearm, wrist and hand, and thigh discomfort by 3% (p = 0.039), 4% (p = 0.031), 5% (p = 0.002), and 5%` (p = 0.007), respectively. Every one repetition increase in sit-up capacity increased the odds of firefighters reporting upper back discomfort and thigh discomfort by 5% (p = 0.045) and 7% (p = 0.013), respectively.Conclusion: Maintenance of physical fitness is likely beneficial in reducing MSIs, which, however, may increase the feeling of MSD in firefighters. In addition, it may be noticed that there is an ideal level of physical fitness that is conducive to the reduction of MSIs and should be studied further.

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