Abstract
Research indicates that cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among firefighters (FF) may be influenced by factors like oxidative stress, inflammation, low fitness levels, and body composition, with age potentially playing a role in risk variation. It is well established that age is an independent CVD risk factor, but limited data exist concerning the impact of age on FF health and fitness. PURPOSE: This study assessed the impact of CRF on the stress response to a live-fire training evolution (LFTE). METHODS: 144 FF completed an annual clinical health assessment. Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to assess normality. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests (if normality was violated) assessed differences in CVD risk biomarkers and fitness and body composition metrics (determined via a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan) between age groups (i.e., 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+). Partial Eta squared (ηₚ²) values were used to determine effect sizes. RESULTS: Significant differences were found across age groups in low-density lipoprotein concentrations (p=0.002, ηₚ²=0.102), triglycerides (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.122), VO₂max (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.222), push-ups (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.191) and fat mass (p=0.027, ηₚ²=0.063). Higher fasting insulin levels (p=0.000, ηₚ²=0.163) were observed in the 50+ age group. Notable values were observed for Framingham risk score (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.805) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT; p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.301) across all age groups. Compared to firefighters aged 20-29, 10-year CVD risk (p<0.001, ηₚ²=0.519) was higher for those aged 40-49 and 50+. Overall, firefighters aged 20-29 demonstrate better health and fitness profiles than their older counterparts. CONCLUSION: These data suggest significant differences in CVD risk biomarkers, physical fitness levels, and body composition metrics across age groups among FF, an occupation whose number one cause of line-of-duty death is sudden cardiac death. The high effect sizes for Framingham risk score, 10-year CVD risk, and VAT highlight their potential as CVD risk predictors. Age-specific health interventions are recommended to manage and mitigate CVD risk effectively over time in this population.
Recommended Citation
Chun, Jisun; Conner, Michael J.; Sowinski, Ryan J.; Colvin, Lisa C.; Martin, Steven E.; and Gonzalez, Drew E.
(2025)
"Impact of Age on Firefighter Health and Fitness Outcomes,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 22.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/22
