The Impact of Obesity on Back and Core Muscular Endurance in Firefighters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between obesity and measures of back and core muscular endurance in firefighters. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in career firefighters without low back pain. Obesity measures included body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage assessed with air displacement plethysmography. Muscular endurance was assessed with the Modified Biering Sorensen (back) and Plank (core) tests. Relationships were explored using t-tests and regression analyses. Results. Of the 83 participants enrolled, 24 (29%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30). Back and core muscular endurance was 27% lower for obese participants. Significant negative correlations were observed for BMI and body fat percentage with back and core endurance (r = −0.42 to −0.52). Stepwise regression models including one obesity measure (BMI, body fat percentage, and fat mass/fat-free mass), along with age and self-reported physical exercise, accounted for 17–19% of the variance in back muscular endurance and 29–37% of the variance in core muscular endurance. Conclusions. Obesity is associated with reduced back and core muscular endurance in firefighters, which may increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Obesity should be considered along with back and core muscular endurance when designing exercise programs for back pain prevention in firefighters.

Use of participant focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators to worksite exercise therapy adherence in randomized controlled trials involving firefighters

“…Although statistically significant gains were observed in back and core endurance in study participants, this suboptimal adherence may have tempered the potential benefits of exercise therapy 8. Given that firefighters have challenging physical demands, a high prevalence of obesity, generally low levels of physical activity, and a potential increased risk of cardiovascular disease, all of which may benefit from increased adherence to exercise therapy, it is important to understand barriers and facilitators to exercise in this population 1,9,14…”

“…A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) reported that firefighters who participated in a 24-week supervised worksite exercise therapy program (note: the term “exercise therapy” is used to denote exercise that is prescribed for a specific therapeutic purpose rather than recreational exercise) had significantly improved back and core muscular endurance at 6 months compared with those who continued to do their usual physical fitness routine 8,9. However, adherence to the twice-weekly exercise therapy protocol over 24 weeks was suboptimal, as participants completed only 67.3% (mean 32.3) of the 48 sessions specified in the study protocol.…”

Obesity and ageing: Two sides of the same coin

“…Similar to ageing, obesity triggers the infiltration of fat into muscle, which could be a cause of early development of sarcopenia as the intramuscular lipid droplets hinder the regeneration potential and function of skeletal muscle . Besides the muscular force, muscular endurance is negatively associated with BMI, which is also a characteristic of sarcopenia . Taken together, patients with obesity have been shown to have difficulty in performing activities of daily living and are more at risk of falls and fractures, common features of sarcopenia and ageing.…”

Does employment in high risk professions relating to firefighters and emergency workers cause injuries that requires long hospitalization?

“…[19] . Their augmented body weight increases muscular injury risks but also muscular endurance [20] . Therefore it is important for firefighters to keep fit by practicing the required exercises [21] .…”