Association between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jaron Ras (), Andre P. Kengne, Denise L. Smith, Elpidoforos S. Soteriades and Lloyd Leach
Additional contact information
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
Andre P. Kengne: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, 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
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 4, 1-27

Abstract: Approximately 45% of on-duty related mortalities were due to sudden cardiac death, with many of these fatalities related to cardiovascular disease and overexertion, while performing emergency duties. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to determine the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters. A literature search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOHost, and ScienceDirect was conducted; the Rayyan ® intelligent systematic review tool was used to screen and select studies for inclusion. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme toolkit were used for methodological assessment of included studies. Data were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 and MedCalc ® statistical softwares to determine the effects of obesity (Z = 10.29, p < 0.001) and aging (Z = 4.72, p < 0.001) on cardiorespiratory fitness. Furthermore, there was a significant effect for cardiorespiratory fitness level on systolic blood pressure (Z = 5.94, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (Z = 2.45, p < 0.001), total cholesterol levels (Z = 3.80, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 4.44, p < 0.001), triglycerides (Z = 3.76, p < 0.001) and blood glucose concentration (Z = 4.78, p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly and inversely associated in firefighters. Fire service departments should adopt behavioral intervention strategies to maintain optimum cardiovascular disease risk factor profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness among firefighters to ensure their occupational well-being.

Keywords: firefighters; cardiovascular disease risk factors; cardiorespiratory fitness; aging; obesity; hypertension; dyslipidemia; diabetes; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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