14 research outputs found
Prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors in Firefighters in the City of Cape Town fire and rescue service
Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES)Over 45% of firefighter deaths are due to a sudden cardiac event caused by underlying coronary
artery disease (CAD) risk factors that can be prevented through adequate CAD risk factor
screening and management. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CAD risk
factors in firefighters in the City of Cape Town and the relationship between the various CAD
risk factors. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design.
A total of 124 full-time firefighters of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Fire and Rescue Service
were conveniently recruited to participate in the study, including males and females of all
ethnicities. Coronary artery disease risk factor information was obtained with a CAD risk factor
assessment form, including, past medical history, smoking status, physical activity behaviour,
ethnicity/race, age and gender
Cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance in firefighters: A narrative review
Introduction. Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires firefighters to be in peak physical condition. However, many firefighters have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, impaired musculoskeletal health, and are not physically fit for duty, which all negatively impact their occupational performance. Therefore, the aim of this review is to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance in firefighters. Methods. The electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched online via the library portal of the University of the Western Cape. Publications and grey literature between the years 2000 to present were used. In total, 2607 articles were identified; after the removal of duplicates 1188 articles were then screened, and were excluded for not meeting initial screening criteria. The remaining 209 full-text articles were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, where 163 articles were excluded. Only studies that were quantitative were included. This left 46 articles that were then finally included in the current narrative review. Results. The current literature indicated that significant relationships existed between cardiovascular risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance. The results indicated firefighters who were aged, obese, physically inactive, cigarette smokers, and unfit were at the highest risk for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health complications, and unsatisfactory occupational performance. Musculoskeletal health complications significantly affected occupational performance and work ability and were related to physical fitness of firefighters. Most cardiovascular risk factors were related to physical fitness, and all physical fitness parameters were related to occupational performance in firefighters. Conclusion. The overwhelming evidence in the current review established that physical fitness is related to occupational performance. However, the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and musculoskeletal health in relation to occupational performance is less clear and still understudied. Significant gaps remain in the literature
Alcohol consumption, physical activity, and cad risk factors in firefighters
Firefighting is a physically and psychologically stressful occupation, where firefighters often resort to alcohol use as a coping strategy. Firefighters
are particularly vulnerable to alcohol misuse and alcohol disorders, negatively affecting their health, well-being and, possibly, work performance.
Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its relationship with the participants’ sociodemographic
characteristics, weekly physical activity, and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters, males and females, were conveniently
recruited from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, South Africa, between September to November, 2020. Firefighters were then
separated according to sex, age, ethnicity, and CAD risk factors. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H were used to determine the statistical
differences between groups, Kendall’s Tau was used to assess the correlation between ordinal and continuous variables, and Chi-square to assess
the association between categorical variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance
Relationship between physical activity, coronary artery disease risk factors and musculoskeletal injuries in the City of Cape Town fire and rescue service
Musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters are a common occurrence, that increase as firefighters age, and may be related to
the firefighters’ physical activity habits outside of the job. Certain CAD risk factors, such as obesity, cigarette smoking
and ageing may be linked to increased injury risk in firefighters. Although firefighters may meet the recommended
minimum physical activity minutes, they may remain at risk for sustaining musculoskeletal injuries. Therefore, this study
aims to determine the relationship between physical activity and CAD risk factors, between CAD risk factors and
musculoskeletal injuries and between physical activity and musculoskeletal injuries. A total of 124 full-time firefighters,
males and females, were conveniently recruited from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service. A researchergenerated questionnaire was used to collect injury, CAD risk factor and physical activity data. The proportion of
firefighters who participated in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was 63.7%, and those who were physically inactive
was 69.4%. The prevalence musculoskeletal injuries among all firefighters was 27.4%. The most prevalent musculoskeletal injury was shoulder injuries in 35.3% of firefighters, followed by multiple injuries in 26.5% and back injuries in
14.7%. Age was a significant predictor of physical inactivity in firefighters [P = .002, OR = 1.08], BMI was a significant
predictor of physical inactivity [P = .050, OR = 1.08], cigarette smoking was a significant predictor of firefighters not
exercising [P = .007, OR = 2.31] and the total amount of vigorous-intensity exercise was a significant predictor of
musculoskeletal injuries [P = .050, OR = 1.00]. In conclusion, older firefighters were more physically inactive and had a
higher prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries, and the latter decreased significantly after the age of 50 years. Emphasis
should be placed on firefighters exercising in their leisure-time, especially as they aged
Association between major coronary artery disease risk factors in the city of Cape Town firefighter and rescue service
Background:
Many CAD risk factors occur concurrently, increasing the odds of the development of other risk factors, which is particularly seen in male and
older firefighters.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the association and odds ratios between the various CAD risk factors in firefighters.
Methods:
This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters, males and females, were conveniently
recruited from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service. A researcher generated questionnaire was used to collect participant
sociodemographic information, and all research procedures were conducted according to the ACSM guidelines. The study took place between
September and November 2019.
Results:
There were significant associations between hypertension and age [χ2
(1) = 18.0, p < 0.001, OR = 6.3 (95% CI: 2.6, 15.5)], hypertension and obesity
[χ2
(1) = 7.9, p = 0.005, OR = 3.0 (95% CI: 1.4, 6.6)], hypertension and diabetes [χ2
(1) = 5.1, p = 0.040, OR = 4.0 (95% CI: 1.1, 14.8)], and
hypertension and dyslipidaemia [χ2
(1) = 8.5, p = 0.004, OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 1.4, 6.7)], family history and central obesity [χ2
(1) = 3.9, p = 0.04, OR
= 2.4 (95% CI: 0.9, 5.8)], and family history and central obesity [χ2
(1) = 3.9, p = 0.04, OR = 2.4 (95% CI: 0.9, 5.8)].
Conclusion:
Increased age, central obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia increased the odds of developing other major CAD risk factors, which was
predominantly apparent in male firefighters of mixed ethnicity. The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service should emphasize the mitigation
of these major CAD risk factors through education and behavioural modification, especially as male firefighters aged
Prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors in firefighters in the city of Cape Town fire and rescue service – A descriptive study
Over 45% of firefighter deaths are attributable to
sudden cardiac death related to coronary artery disease (CAD),
with many of these deaths attributed to comorbidities. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of coronary artery
disease (CAD) risk factors in firefighters in the City of Cape Town
(CoCT).The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters
were conveniently recruited between September and November
2019 from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Firefighting is a hazardous occupation,
where firefighters are involved in life-threatening
situations, being placed under tremendous physical strain,
while wearing heavy and insulated equipment to protect
them from chemicals, fumes and high temperatures. This
necessitates that firefighter stay in good physical condition
and maintain adequate cardiovascular fitness to cope with
these stressors and perform their duties with minimal
health risks. The aim of this systematic review and metaanalysis is to determine the effect of cardiovascular
health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on the
occupational performance of firefighters
Association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in firefighters
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)
Knowledge and attitude toward health and CVD risk factors among firefighters in Cape Town, South Africa
Firefighting is a hazardous occupation, and the firefighters’ fitness for duty is
affected by their knowledge of and attitudes toward their health and their relationship in the
development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to assess knowledge
and attitude toward health and CVD risk factors among firefighters in South Africa.The study used a cross-sectional research design. A sample of 110
firefighters, males and females, aged 18 to 65 years were conveniently sampled from the City
of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service. A researcher-generated self-administered
questionnaire was completed online to obtain data from firefighters. A p-value of less than 0.05
indicated statistical significance
Association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Approximately 45% of on-duty related mortalities were due to sudden cardiac death,
with many of these fatalities related to cardiovascular disease and overexertion, while performing
emergency duties. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to determine the association
between cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters. A literature
search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOHost, and ScienceDirect was conducted;
the Rayyan® intelligent systematic review tool was used to screen and select studies for inclusion.
The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme toolkit
were used for methodological assessment of included studies. Data were analyzed using the Review
Manager 5.3 and MedCalc® statistical softwares to determine the effects of obesity (Z = 10.29,
p < 0.001) and aging (Z = 4.72, p < 0.001) on cardiorespiratory fitness