Abstract
Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine YXP-related differences in conventional body composition parameters among firefighters. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 male firefighters were analyzed (33.4±8.6 years; 29.3±4.1 kg/m2; 38.8±6.9 mL/kg/min). Groups were considered to be those with <5 YXP and >5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) analyzed YXP's effect on body composition, with Fisher’s LSD tests, 95% confidence intervals, and a p<0.05 threshold for significance. Effect sizes used ηₚ²; data shown as mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overall GLM multivariate analysis revealed a Wilk's Lambda for YXP (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.307). Univariate analysis revealed differences in waist circumference (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.106), waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.170), body fat percentage (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.083), fat mass (p = 0.005, ηₚ² = 0.056), android body fat distribution (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.130), gynoid body fat distribution (p = 0.046, ηₚ² = 0.028), and visceral adipose tissue (p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.197). Pairwise comparisons revealed that firefighters with fewer years of experience demonstrated lower waist circumference (-6.9 cm [-10.4, -3.6]), waist-to-hip ratio (-0.06 [-0.08, -0.03]), body fat percentage (-2.9 % [-4.6, -1.3]), fat mass (-4.2 kg [-7.1, -1.3]), android body fat distribution (-4.9 % [-7.1, -2.8]), gynoid body fat distribution (-1.6 % [-3.2, -0.03]), and visceral adipose tissue (-37.9 g [-50.6, -25.1]). CONCLUSION: Firefighters with under five YXP showed lower overall and regional fat levels, such as visceral and android fat, compared to those with more years on the job. These findings suggest that longer service may lead to changes in body composition that increase cardiometabolic risk. Policy makers may be interested in implementing targeted wellness and nutrition programs aimed at reducing fat gain and maintaining lean mass throughout a firefighter's career, which could enhance performance and prolong their careers.
Recommended Citation
Rhoades, Nathaniel D.; Conner, Michael J.; Mota, Jacob A.; Miller, Payton E.; Martin, Steven E.; Colvin, Lisa C.; and Gonzalez, Drew E.
(2026)
"How do Firefighters Differ Between Years of Fire Service Experience: Part 2 – Body Composition Profiles,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 8.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/8