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Abstract

Association of Aerobic Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Male Firefighters. Durcan, C.M.*, S.E. Martin‡, B.S. Lambert†, N.P. Greene†, J.M. Markos†, A.F. Carbuhn†, J.S. Green‡, FACSM and S.F. Crouse‡, FACSM. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Metabolic syndrome has been shown in numerous studies to be related to a higher incidence of coronary artery disease. A study by R. Jurca et.al., in Med. Sci. Sports Exerc 36(38), found a relationship between aerobic fitness and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a group of men enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. Information on this relationship in male firefighters is currently lacking. Purpose: To determine the association of metabolic syndrome and aerobic fitness in male fire fighters. Methods: As part of an annual physical exam, 213 male fire fighters (average age = 37) underwent evaluation of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP III. These include the presence of three or more of the following: Waist circumference > 40", HDL Cholesterol < 40 mg/dL, Triglycerides > 150 mg/dL, Blood Glucose > 110 mg/dL, and resting blood pressure > 130/85 mm Hg. Aerobic Fitness was determined by estimating VO2max from time on treadmill during a Bruce protocol. Results: The subjects were ranked and divided into quartiles based on VO2max. All data were analyzed using a Chi Square test (p < .05). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across quartiles as aerobic fitness declined. Conclusion: The data suggest that as aerobic fitness improves, the likelihood of male firefighters having metabolic syndrome decreases. These data are similar to the results found by R. Jurca et.al.

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