Abstract
Firefighters (FF) endure substantial cardiovascular stress during their occupational tasks; yet, males and females differ in cardiovascular fitness (CRF) due to biological factors. The differences in body composition (BC) and CRF among FFs remain unclear. PURPOSE: To compare gender-specific outcomes in body BC and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) of FF. METHODS: BC assessments via BIA and CPET on a cycle ergometer for 509 FF were analyzed from annual clinical testing. Gender was self-reported as follows: female (n = 29), male (n = 476), or other (n = 4). BC metrics, including body fat, lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, and body mass index. CPET outcomes include power, hemodynamics, and VO2peak. Multivariate and univariate general linear model (GLM) analyses were used to assess differences across gender groups. Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests were used to evaluate pairwise comparisons of means and post-hoc tests. Partial Eta squared (ηₚ²) values were used to assess effect size for the GLM statistics. Frequencies of those meeting the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) aerobic capacity standards were compared between genders. RESULTS: The GLM multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant overall Wilk's Lambda for BC (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.158) and CPET (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.108) by gender. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, and BMI between males and females (all p < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons showed that females have lower lean body mass (-18.6 ± 1.7 kg), skeletal muscle mass (-11.2 ± 1.11 kg), and BMI (-3.7 ± 0.8 kg/m²) than males. For CPET outcomes, univariate analysis found statistically significant effects of gender on peak power (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.072), absolute VO2peak (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.082), and peak heart rate (p = 0.018, ηₚ² = 0.016). Pairwise comparisons showed that females had lower peak power (-49.0±8.1 W) and VO2peak (-633.9±96.1 mL/min), but higher peak heart rate (7.3±2.6 bpm) than males. 93.9% of females and 67.2% of males meet at least the 50th percentile for age-related VO2peak. 97% of females and 82.7% of males meet the occupational standards at or above the 35th percentile for VO2peak. CONCLUSION: Male and female FF differ in BC and CPET performance. Although female FF are overall smaller and have lower CPET values, they meet gender-specific NFPA standards more frequently than male FF. CRF interventions for FF should be gender-specific.
Recommended Citation
Kibler, Giuliet L.; Hines, Kelly; Conner, Michael J.; Colvin, Lisa C.; Martin, Steven E.; and Gonzalez, Drew E.
(2026)
"Do Body Composition and Cardiovascular Fitness Differ by Gender in Firefighters?,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/7
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Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons