Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters

Jaron Ras (), Denise L. Smith, Elpidoforos S. Soteriades, Andre P. Kengne and Lloyd Leach
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Jaron Ras: Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Denise L. Smith: Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Elpidoforos S. Soteriades: Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
Andre P. Kengne: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Lloyd Leach: Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 11, 1-23

Abstract: Firefighters perform strenuous work in dangerous and unpredictable environments requiring optimal physical conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health (CVH) in firefighters. This cross-sectional study systematically recruited 309 full-time male and female firefighters between the ages of 20 to 65 years in Cape Town, South Africa. Physical fitness was assessed using absolute (abV̇O 2max ) and relative oxygen consumption (relVO 2max ), grip and leg strength, push-ups and sit-ups, sit-and-reach for flexibility and lean body mass (LBM). CVH encompassed age, smoking, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, lipid profile, body mass index, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference. Linear regressions and logistic regressions were applied. Multivariable analysis indicated that relVO 2max was associated with systolic BP ( p < 0.001), diastolic BP ( p < 0.001), non-fasting blood glucose ( p < 0.001), and total cholesterol ( p = 0.037). Poor CVH index was negatively associated with relV̇O 2max ( p < 0.001), leg strength ( p = 0.019), and push-ups ( p = 0.012). Furthermore, age was inversely associated with V̇O 2max ( p < 0.001), push-up and sit-up capacity ( p < 0.001), and sit-and-reach ( p < 0.001). BF% was negatively associated with abV̇O 2max ( p < 0.001), grip and leg strength ( p < 0.001), push-ups ( p = 0.008), sit-ups ( p < 0.001), and LBM ( p < 0.001). Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and muscular endurance were significantly associated with a better overall CVH profile.

Keywords: firefighters; physical fitness; risk factor; cardiorespiratory; strength; endurance; cardiovascular health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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