Physical Activity and Injuries Relating to Physical Fitness of Professional Firefighters.

Abstract

Introduction: The profession of a firefighter involves multiple factors that directly or indirectly impact on the person's health. The aim of this study was to establish the correlation between physical fitness of the selected group of firefighters with respect to anthropometric parameters, additional physical activity, and injury rate. Material and methods: The study examined 77 men who worked for the State Fire Service (age: 28.87±9.84 years, body mass: 82.13±9.37 kg, body height: 180.12±6.39 cm). Of he study group, 53% of the fire-fighters had normal BMI, 42% were overweight and 5% had first degree obesity. The study used a survey questionnaire concerning the anthropometric data, previous injuries, physiotherapeutic procedures following the injury, and participants' involvement in additional physical activity. A physical fitness test battery was used to determine the correlation between physical fitness and: age, BMI and additional physical activity and injury rate.

Relationship Between Physical Activity, Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Injuries in the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service

“…Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that places tremendous physical workloads on firefighters. 1 - 3 Firefighters are routinely exposed to environmental hazards that contribute to the high prevalence of musculoskeletal injury and cardiovascular disease. 1 , 4 , 5 Firefighter-specific tasks, such as equipment carries, door breaches and hose-drag cause firefighters to be at high risk of musculoskeletal injuries.…”

“… 1 , 3 - 5 The increase in musculoskeletal injuries as firefighters age, may be related to the progressive decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness. 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 , 12 , 13 Obesity is another key factor that plays a role in on-duty injuries in firefighters. 1 , 4 , 5 , 14 Due to increased body weight, especially fat weight, places more strain on the body’s musculoskeletal structures while performing occupational tasks, that predispose firefighters to injury, especially if firefighters are not physically fit.…”

“…Although firefighters may meet the recommended minimum physical activity minutes, they may remain at risk for sustaining musculoskeletal injuries. 6 , 8 , 26 This may be attributes to the strenuous nature of firefighting, the accumulation of overall weekly workload or insufficient muscular strength or endurance to cope with the stressors placed upon them. 1 , 6 , 8 , 14 , 26 In addition, if firefighters’ caloric intake exceeds their physical activity levels, they remain at risk for increased adiposity, which is a risk factor for injuries, especially as firefighters ages.…”

“… 6 , 8 , 26 This may be attributes to the strenuous nature of firefighting, the accumulation of overall weekly workload or insufficient muscular strength or endurance to cope with the stressors placed upon them. 1 , 6 , 8 , 14 , 26 In addition, if firefighters’ caloric intake exceeds their physical activity levels, they remain at risk for increased adiposity, which is a risk factor for injuries, especially as firefighters ages. 27 - 30 It is hypothesised that, firstly, leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and physical inactivity based on recreational exercise will be significantly related to CAD risk factors musculoskeletal health.…”

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Coupled with the additional stressors, such as worsening cardiovascular health metrics, most frequently: physical inactivity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity, and poor health-related physical fitness, specifically cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance, may lead to significant morbidity and mortality 5 37–39. Lower physical fitness levels cause increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters 35 40–42. In addition, worsening cardiovascular health, increased cardiovascular risk profiles, deteriorating musculoskeletal health, especially moderate to severe pain and discomfort in the lower limbs, and poor health-related physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness, significantly and negatively affects firefighters’ occupational performance 11–19…”