BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies on the general population have shown
that increased physical activity and aerobic fitness (AF) significantly decrease the risk
of coronary artery disease. Finding ways to decrease such risk factors can promote the
health of firefighters.
METHODS: This study was conducted in a large industrial facility in Tehran.
AF assessment and submaximal aerobic fitness testing of participants were performed
according to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). AF was
determined using a bicycle ergometer. Other information was collected using a specifically
designed questionnaire, physical examination and blood test. Data were analyzed using
SPSS. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 157 male firefighters were evaluated in an industrial
facility. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that AF was significantly
correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, physical activity,
hemoglobin level, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
level, resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP), diastolic blood pressure (RDBP) and heart
rate (RHR) (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Firefighters with greater AF had lower cardiovascular disease
(CVD) risk factors. Longitudinal studies are required to further confirm this finding.
Increasing the AF may decrease CVD risk factors in firefighters.
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