Abstract
First responders have a heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and body roundness index (BRI) are associated with CVD risk. These parameters may provide a more comprehensive insight into the risk of CVD and premature mortality than conventional parameters (i.e., blood lipids). PURPOSE: This study assessed the relationship between ePWV, BRI, and several conventional CVD risk, fitness, and body composition parameters and compared these variables between sub-first responder groups. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one (n=171) first responders (98 firefighters [FF] and 73 law enforcement officers[LEO]) completed a battery of clinical testing during an annual physical assessment, wherein they underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, had their waist and hip measurements and resting hemodynamics (i.e., blood pressure) taken, donated a fasted (≥12 hours) blood bio-sample (to assess blood lipids and glucose), and completed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPXT). The resting hemodynamics measurements were used to calculate ePWV, while waist circumference and height were used to calculate BRI. Bivariate Pearson correlation matrix analysis was used to examine the relationship between body composition and fat distribution ePWV, BRI, and several conventional CVD risks (i.e., blood lipids, glucose, and BMI) and body composition parameters (i.e., android, gynoid, body fat percentage, lean mass, and fat mass). A Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to assess normality for comparing FF and LEO. Then, independent sample T-tests or non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests (if normality was violated) were used to assess differences in the outcomes between the FF and LEO. Effect sizes were calculated as Cohen’s d (i.e., small [0.2-0.5], medium [0.5-0.8], large [>0.8]). RESULTS: The Bivariate Pearson correlation matrix revealed (p<0.05) that ePWV positively correlated with age and blood glucose while inversely correlated with CPXT time to exhaustion and VO2max. BRI was inversely correlated with CPXT time to exhaustion, VO2max, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The FF displayed greater WHR (FF: 0.95±0.06; LEO: 0.89±0.08; d=0.792), but lower ePWV (FF: 6.91±0.74 m/s; LEO: 7.23±0.82 m/s, d=-0.419) and hip circumferences (FF: 38.5±4.5 in; LEO: 41.5±3.42 in, d=-0.725) than their LEO counterparts, with no other differences in the outcome variables. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that first responders should aim to maintain their fitness to counter increases in CVD risk parameters, such as ePWV and BRI. Although the LEO demonstrated a higher ePWV than the FF, the values were within the low-risk range (i.e., 5 to 15 m/s). Both first responder groups should benefit from structured aerobic and resistance training programming to improve their fitness. Future work should explore the impact of these fitness programs on ePWV and BRI.
Recommended Citation
El-Tayssoun, Asma-Maria; Liebert, Jillian; Martin, Steven E.; and Gonzalez, Drew E.
(2025)
"Assessment of Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity and Body Roundness Index among First Responders,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 184.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/184
