Background: Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among firefighters in some developed countries. It is unclear whether physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness reduce cardiovascular disease risk and the cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters. The present study investigated the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters in Hong Kong.
Methods: Male firefighters (n = 387) were randomly selected from serving firefighters in Hong Kong (n = 5,370) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, known cardiovascular diseases). One-third (Target Group) were randomly selected for the assessment of off-duty leisure-time physical activity using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed, as well as cardiovascular workload using heart rate monitoring for each firefighter for four "normal" 24-hour working shifts and during real-situation simulated scenarios.
Results: Overall, 33.9% of the firefighters had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the Target Group, firefighters who had higher leisure-time physical activity had a lower resting heart rate and a lower average working heart rate, and spent a smaller proportion of time working at a moderate-intensity cardiovascular workload. Firefighters who had moderate aerobic fitness and high leisure-time physical activity had a lower peak working heart rate during the mountain rescue scenario compared with firefighters who had low leisure-time physical activities.
Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity conferred significant benefits during job tasks of moderate cardiovascular workload in firefighters in Hong Kong.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4674482 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2015.02.004 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Proprioception After Unilateral Stroke: Changes in the Affected and Unaffected Lower Limbs Over Time.
Physiother Res Int
January 2025
College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Background: Proprioceptive deficits are common among stroke survivors and can negatively impact their balance and postural control. However, there has been little evaluation of the change in proprioceptive deficits in the lower limbs over time after stroke. This study aimed to examine proprioceptive deficits over time after stroke in both the affected and "unaffected" lower limbs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of high-intensity training on jumping performance among athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Sports Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia.
This review aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the impact of high-intensity training (HIT) on athlete jumping performance. As of May 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and EBSCOhost databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Use the PEDro scale to evaluate the methodological quality of the included study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaximizing phonation: impact of inspiratory muscle strengthening on vocal durations and pitch range.
BMC Pulm Med
January 2025
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
Background: This study investigated the acute effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IWU) on vocal performance in singers. Proper vocal and respiratory warm-up can enhance vocal range, quality, and endurance. The aim was to determine whether IWU improves maximum phonation time and pitch range, contributing to better voice production efficiency (vocal efficiency) and reduced fatigue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow trunk muscle mass could predict severe stress urinary incontinence in Asian women.
Geriatr Gerontol Int
January 2025
Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Aim: Adequate pelvic floor support for the urethra is crucial for preventing stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Obesity is an established risk factor for SUI. This study aimed to explore the relationship between SUI and body composition, specifically focusing on muscle and fat mass.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaintaining level of modifiable dementia risk scores is associated with better cognitive outcomes than increasing risk scores: A population-based prospective cohort study.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
January 2025
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2057, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia. Electronic address:
Background: A brain healthy lifestyle, consisting of good cardiometabolic health and being cognitively and socially active in midlife, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline years later. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle changes over time also affect the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia, and rate of cognitive decline.
Objectives: To investigate if lifestyle changes over time are associated with incident MCI/dementia risk and rate of cognitive decline.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!