Relationship between Shift Type and Voluntary Exercise Training in South Korean Firefighters

Abstract

Background: According to the National Fire Agency, 69% of South Korean firefighters prefer the three circuit system. Since the three circuit system involves working for 24 h consecutively, it could reduce work performance of firefighters and their participation in exercise training (ET) and fitness levels could be affected by shift type. The present study examined the impact of shift type on ET and identified the interaction effect between shift type and city size on ET among South Korean firefighters. Methods: A series of logistic regression models were used to analyze the data collected from incumbent outside workers among Korean firefighters (N = 5196) in 2017. Results: Firefighters under the 3 circuit system participated in ET less frequently than did those under the 21 circuit system, and the difference was greater in large cities than in small towns. This could be because of the greater opportunity to participate in leisure activities in large cities, or because participating in ET is easier for firefighters in small towns, who tend to be less busy than those in large cities. Conclusions: The three circuit system is not feasible in the present situation in South Korea. Therefore, an environment suitable for the three circuit system should be established.

The Effects of Number of Fire Dispatches and Other Situational Factors on Voluntary Exercise Training Among Korean Firefighters: A Multilevel Logistic Regression Analysis

“…Moreover, firefighters under the 9-and 21-day systems participated in more ET compared with those under the 3-day system. This result is consistent with those of a previous study [18]. Firefighters under the 3-day system have 48 h of rest after 24 h of duty.…”

“…The effect of city scale on participation in voluntary ET was greater under the 3-day system compared with the 21-day system. Specifically, the significant dependence of ET participation on shift type is observed in large cities, but not in small towns [18].…”

“…A recent study assumed that it was easier for firefighters in small towns to participate in ET because they are required to attend fewer dispatches [18]; however, the effect of the number of dispatches on firefighters' ET participation was only speculated. Moreover, data used in that recent study did not include any information regarding the number of dispatches in 2017.…”

“…Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether firefighters' participation in ET varies with the number of dispatches across 17 regions in South Korea. Furthermore, in the above previous study, only 3-and 21-day shift patterns were analyzed [18], but the 9-day system is the second-most widely used in South Korea after the 21-day system. Thus, the 9-day system should also be examined.…”

Effects of Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activities on Insomnia in Korean Firefighters

“…In the case of the LTPA intensity, the criteria for high-intensity LTPA was ≥5 sessions a week and 30 min or more per session with medium-intensity PA (an activity that causes slight shortness of breath or slightly increased heart rate), or ≥3 sessions a week and 30 min or more per session with high-intensity PA (an activity that causes severe shortness of breath or high heart rate). These criteria are based on the PA guidelines for American adults [ 22 ] and were used in other recent studies on voluntary exercise for Korean firefighters [ 34 , 35 ]. However, although this classification system of the LTPA intensity has been used in other studies, it is necessary to measure the exact LTPA intensity by calculating MET, and so on, in further studies.…”