A pilot study on the relationship between cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance in firefighters

Jaron Ras; Denise L. Smith; Elpidoforos S. Soteriades; Andre P. Kengne; Lloyd Llewellyn Leach

Ayuda

A pilot study on the relationship between cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance in firefighters

Jaron Ras ^[1] ; Denise L. Smith ; Elpidoforos S. Soteriades ^[2] ; Andre P. Kengne ; Lloyd Leach ^[1]
1. [1] University of the Western Cape
  
  University of the Western Cape
  
  City of Cape Town, Sudáfrica
2. [2] Open University of Cyprus
  
  Open University of Cyprus
  
  Chipre
Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 12, Nº. 11, 2022, págs. 1703-1718
Idioma: inglés
Enlaces
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Resumen
- Firefighters’ face life threatening situations and are frequently exposed to numerous physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of conducting a large-scale study on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance of firefighters. We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study by recruiting 36 firefighters. A researcher-generated questionnaire and physical measures were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, physical fitness and occupational performance using a physical ability test (PAT). We documented a high equipment and intra-assessor reliability (r > 0.9). The potential logistic and/or administrative obstacles in the context of a larger study were discerned. Data were successfully retrieved using available equipment and survey instruments. Hypertension (30.6%) dyslipidaemia (33.3%), obesity (36.1%) and physical inactivity (66.7%) were the most prevalent cardiovascular disease risk factors. A significant difference between genders in total PAT completion time was also seen (p < 0.001). Cardiorespiratory fitness, lean body mass, grip strength and leg strength were significantly associated with occupational performance (p < 0.001). The pilot study supports the larger study feasibility and verified equipment and assessors’ reliability for research. Cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness may be related to PAT performance.