Association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health in firefighters

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dc.contributor.authorRas, Jaron
dc.contributor.authorSoteriades, Elpidoforos Soterakis
dc.contributor.authorSmith, Denise Louise
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-10T10:47:33Z
dc.date.available2025-02-10T10:47:33Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: 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.
dc.identifier.citationRas, J., Soteriades, E.S., Smith, D.L., Kengne, A.P. and Leach, L., 2023. Association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health in firefighters. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, p.1210107.
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1210107
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/19985
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherFrontiers Media SA
dc.subjectcardiorespiratory
dc.subjectendurance
dc.subjectfirefighting
dc.subjectphysical activity
dc.subjectworkload
dc.titleAssociation between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health in firefighters
dc.typeArticle

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