Fire fit: assessing comprehensive fitness and injury risk in the fire service

Abstract

This 5-year analysis of clinical occupational health assessments enabled the development of a relevant metric for relating comprehensive fitness with the risk of injury. Results were consistent with previous studies focused on cardiorespiratory fitness, but also less susceptible to inter-individual variability of discrete measurements.

Efficacy of a proactive health and safety risk management system in the fire service

“…The RM process identified that while on-shift exercise was necessary for maintaining fitness, it lacked the necessary structure, guidance and management to ensure safe performance. Two retrospective cohort analyses on the current study’s population (Poplin et al, 2014 ; Poplin et al, 2016 ) found that over a five year span, “fit” and “less fit” commissioned FD employees were found to have an increased likelihood for injury than their “most fit” peers. However, PE, if performed improperly, frequently results in injury.…”

The relationship between physical fitness and occupational injury in emergency responders: A systematic review

“…Studies included 10 cohort and one matched case‐control design with study follow‐up periods ranging to 12 weeks to 9 years. Of the included studies that reported incidence of injury, the cumulative incidence rates per 100 workers ranged between 5.3 and 101.8 injuries per year . Injuries were ascertained in various ways including self‐report, workers’ compensation claims, and surveillance records.…”

“…Two studies had lower scores because self‐reports were used as an assessment of outcome rather than data linkage or independent blind assessment . Three studies scored two points for comparability as multiple confounders were controlled for, whereas three studies scored zero points as no confounders were controlled for . The single case control study was evaluated regarding selection, comparability, and exposure.…”

“…Poplin et al compared composite fitness scores between injured and uninjured firefighters between 2005 and 2009 . Seven measures of fitness made up the physical assessment and included a submaximal treadmill protocol to test relative aerobic capacity (VO 2max ), resting heart rate, grip strength, push‐ups, sit‐ups, low back and hamstring flexibility, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.…”

“…Finally, four studies did not indicate the sex of the population. Within the fire service, the population is approximately 5% female . Thus, females in three studies of firefighters were not analyzed due to either privacy or sample size concerns.…”