Do Greater Years of Service Subject the Firefighter to Poor Physical Performance and Body Composition Profiling?

Authors

Regan Lariviere, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Taylor Benard, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Michael Conner, Bond UniversityFollow
Micheil Spillane, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Steven E. Martin, Texas A&M University, College StationFollow
Drew E. Gonzalez, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Firefighters face higher CVD risks from stress, aging, and irregular activity. Years of experience (YXP) also worsen health by accelerating age-related declines in body composition, biomarkers, and performance. However, studies on performance across experience levels are limited assessed. PURPOSE: To profile various physical performance and body composition parameters by YXP-related groupings among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with <2.5, 2.5 to 5, 5 to 10, 10-15, and >15 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were employed for both multivariate and univariate analyses, utilizing Fisher’s Least Significant Difference tests. To evaluate pairwise mean comparisons and post-hoc tests, 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Effect sizes were measured using Partial Eta squared (η_p²), with thresholds indicating small effects (>0.01 and <0.06), medium effects (>0.06 and <0.14), and large effects (>0.14). RESULTS: Overall, the GLM multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant Wilk's Lambda for performance (p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.106) and body composition (p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.136). However, after controlling for age, these multivariate effects were attenuated for performance (p = 0.136, η_p² = 0.051) and body composition (p = 0.482, η_p² = 0.067). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences across the YXP groupings for the time-to-exhaustion (TTE) on the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPXT) (p = 0.006, η_p² = 0.105), VO₂max (p = 0.016, η_p² = 0.090), body fat percentage (p = 0.013, η_p² = 0.091), android body fat distribution (p = 0.014, η_p² = 0.090), and gynoid body fat distribution (p = 0.006, η_p² = 0.104), which all were maintained after adjusting for age. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the FFs with fewer YXP demonstrated longer TTE on the CPXT, higher VO₂max, and better body fat percentages and distribution, which steadily declined across the higher YXP groupings. CONCLUSION: FFs with less experience exhibited greater aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and flexibility compared to those with more years on duty. This suggests that prolonged occupational exposure may diminish physical fitness, thereby increasing the risk of injury and CVD. Regular fitness routines and periodic check-ups during an FF’s career could support sustained operational readiness and promote long-term health risk.

Recommended Citation

Lariviere, Regan; Benard, Taylor; Conner, Michael; Spillane, Micheil; Martin, Steven E.; and Gonzalez, Drew E. (2026) "Do Greater Years of Service Subject the Firefighter to Poor Physical Performance and Body Composition Profiling?," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 18, Article 212.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/212