dc.description.abstract | Firefighters perform strenuous work in dangerous and unpredictable environments requiring
optimal physical conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between
physical fitness and cardiovascular health (CVH) in firefighters. This cross-sectional study systematically
recruited 309 full-time male and female firefighters between the ages of 20 to 65 years in Cape
Town, South Africa. Physical fitness was assessed using absolute (ab˙VO2max) and relative oxygen consumption
(relVO2max), grip and leg strength, push-ups and sit-ups, sit-and-reach for flexibility and
lean body mass (LBM). CVH encompassed age, smoking, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, lipid
profile, body mass index, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference. Linear regressions
and logistic regressions were applied. Multivariable analysis indicated that relVO2max was associated
with systolic BP (p < 0.001), diastolic BP (p < 0.001), non-fasting blood glucose (p < 0.001), and total
cholesterol (p = 0.037). Poor CVH index was negatively associated with rel˙VO2max (p < 0.001), leg
strength (p = 0.019), and push-ups (p = 0.012). | en_US |