Heart Rate Response of Firefighters to Actual Emergencies

Sothmann, Mark S.; Saupe, Kurt W.; Jasenof, Deborah; Blaney, J.

doi:10.1097/00043764-199208000-00014

Cited by 129 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Additionally, firefighters responding to an emergency call exhibited a mean HR of 157 for 15 minutes, which was equivalent to 88% of the previously determined HR max (81).…”

Section: Physiological Responses To Fighting Firesmentioning

confidence: 63%

Physiological Determinants of the Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters

Sheaff

Bennett²,

Hanson³

et al. 2010

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

147

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The purpose of this study was to examine the relative importance of physiological characteristics during firefighting performance, as assessed by the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Participants included professional and volunteer firefighters, ages 18-39 (n=33). Muscle strength, muscle endurance, muscle power, body composition, aerobic capacity, anaerobic fitness, and the cardiovascular response to stairclimbing were assessed to determine the physiological characteristics of the participants. To quantify firefighting performance, the CPAT was administered by members of the fire service.Absolute and relative mean power during Wingate anaerobic cycling test (WAnT), relative peak power during WAnT, and absolute maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) were significantly higher in those who passed the CPAT (n=18), compared to those who failed (n=15) (P < 0.01). Absolute and relative mean power during WAnT, fatigue index during WAnT, absolute VO 2 max, upper body strength, and the heart rate response to stairclimbing were all significantly related to CPAT performance time (all P < 0.01).However, absolute VO 2 max and anaerobic fatigue resistance during WAnT combined were the best predictors of total CPAT performance (Adj. R 2 = 0.817; P < 0.001).

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“…Additionally, firefighters responding to an emergency call exhibited a mean HR of 157 for 15 minutes, which was equivalent to 88% of the previously determined HR max (81).…”

Section: Physiological Responses To Fighting Firesmentioning

confidence: 63%

Physiological Determinants of the Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters

Sheaff

Bennett²,

Hanson³

et al. 2010

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

147

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In addition, one in three male firefighters in the current study did not meet a generally accepted minimum cardiorespiratory fitness level of 42.0 mL/kg/min for firefighters (Donovan et al 2009;National Fire Protection Agency 2013;Sothmann et al 1992), even though the VO 2 max values may have been overestimated due to the use of the Gerkin submaximal test (Mier and Gibson 2004). These findings are alarming given that the fire department of the current study has one of the strongest and long-lasting WEFIT programs among US fire departments.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

Comparison of body mass index with waist circumference and skinfold-based percent body fat in firefighters: adiposity classification and associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors

Choi

Steiss

García-Rivas

et al. 2015

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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firefighters had substantially higher CVD risk profiles. Obesity and overweight were less prevalent in female and Asian male firefighters. Conclusions BMI overestimated the prevalence of total overweight and obesity among male firefighters, compared to WC and skinfold-based PBF. Overweight by BMI needs to be more narrowly defined, or the prevalence of BMI-based overweight (27.5-29.9 kg/m 2 ) should be reported additionally for prevention of CVD among male firefighters.Keywords California · Professional firefighters · Obesity · Overweight · Ethnicity · Gender IntroductionObesity is a well-documented risk factor for chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, some cancers as well as increased mortality (Flegal et al. 2013 . The prevalence of obesity in the working population of the USA as in the general population has increased, particularly over the last three decades (Caban et al. 2005). Male firefighters are among the top three occupational groups with the highest obesity prevalence in the USA (Caban et al. 2005;Choi et al. 2011;Haddock et al. 2011). As a result, overweight and obesity is an important occupational health issue to be urgently addressed for the 1.1 million US firefighters ) who are at high risk of on-duty cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (Geibe et al. 2008;Kales et al. 2007) and musculoskeletal injuries Poplin et al. 2012). AbstractPurpose This study aims to examine whether body mass index (BMI) overestimates the prevalence of overweight or obese firefighters when compared to waist circumference (WC) and skinfold-based percent body fat (PBF) and to investigate differential relationships of the three adiposity measures with other biological cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods The adiposity of 355 (347 males and eight females) California firefighters was assessed using three different measures. Other CVD risk factors (high blood pressure, high lipid profiles, high glucose, and low VO 2 max) of the firefighters were also clinically assessed. Results The prevalence of total overweight and obesity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher by BMI (80.4 %) than by WC (48.7 %) and by PBF (55.6 %) in male firefighters. In particular, the prevalence of overweight firefighters was much higher (p < 0.01) by BMI (57.3 %) than by WC (24.5 %) and PBF (38.3 %). 60-64 % of male firefighters who were assessed as normal weight by WC and PBF were misclassified as overweight by BMI. When overweight by BMI was defined as 27.5-29.9 kg/m 2 (vs. the standard definition of 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 ), the agreement of the adiposity classification increased between BMI and other two adiposity measures. Obese firefighters had the highest CVD risk profiles across all three adiposity measures. Only when overweight by BMI was defined narrowly, overweight

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“…These values are all above the national average reported by Lewis and associates (64) but more importantly should be considered in the context of a minimum requirement for the job. Several investigators have suggested 12.0 metabolic equivalents (METs; 1 MET = 3.5 mL/kg/min) as a minimum threshold for firefighter fitness levels (33,119 (42,113,116). Hence, 42.0 mL/kg/min (equal to 12 METs) may be considered a reasonable minimum acceptable level of cardiorespiratory fitness needed to perform the job.…”

Section: Cardiorespiratory Fitnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fitness of the US Workforce

Pronk

2015

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Fitness matters for the prevention of premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss, excess medical care costs, loss of income or family earnings, and other social and economic concerns. The workforce may be viewed as a corporate strategic asset, yet its fitness level appears to be relatively low and declining. Over the past half-century, obesity rates have doubled, physical activity levels are below par, and cardiorespiratory fitness often does not meet minimum acceptable job standards. During this time, daily occupational energy expenditure has decreased by more than 100 calories. Employers should consider best practices and design workplace wellness programs accordingly. Particular attention should be paid to human-centered cultures. Research should address ongoing surveillance needs regarding fitness of the US workforce and close gaps in the evidence base for fitness and business-relevant outcomes. Policy priorities should consider the impact of both state and federal regulations, adherence to current regulations that protect and promote worker health, and the introduction of incentives that allow employers to optimize the fitness of their workforce through supportive legislation and organizational policies.

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Heart Rate Response of Firefighters to Actual Emergencies

Cited by 129 publications

References 4 publications

Physiological Determinants of the Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters

Physiological Determinants of the Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters

Comparison of body mass index with waist circumference and skinfold-based percent body fat in firefighters: adiposity classification and associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors

Fitness of the US Workforce

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