Cardiovascular risk markers in firefighters: A longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in cardiovascular risk factors for a group of firefighters (n = 74) over a 6-year period. Subjects were full-time firefighters employed by a moderate-to-large municipality. Each subject was tested a minimum of 4 out of a possible 7 years (x = 5.97) and underwent an assessment of body fat percentage (by underwater weighing), body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and grip strength. Blood analysis was performed by a College of American Pathologists-accredited laboratory; grip strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer. Functional aerobic impairment was computed using age norms and a time-on-treadmill estimation of aerobic capacity (VO2max). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results showed little significant change over time in cardiovascular risk markers. However, VO2max was found to be below age-predicted averages, and body fat percentage was found to be significantly above age-predicted averages. 2000 by Cardiovascular Reviews and Reports, Inc.

Cardiovascular risk markers in firefighters: A longitudinal study Academic Article