Association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in firefighters

Thumbnail Image

Files

ras_association between physical fitness_2023.pdf (422.25 KB)

Date

2023

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI

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 (ab˙VO2max) and relative oxygen consumption (relVO2max), 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 relVO2max 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 rel˙VO2max (p < 0.001), leg strength (p = 0.019), and push-ups (p = 0.012).

Description

Keywords

Firefighters, Cardiovascular health, Exercise science, South Africa, Physiology

Citation

Ras, J. et al. (2023). Association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in firefighters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(11), 5930. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115930

URI

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115930
 http://hdl.handle.net/10566/9207

Collections

Research Aricles (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science)