Inflammatory responses of older firefighters to intermittent exercise in the heat

Repeated strenuous work in the heat may predispose firefighters to augmented immune responses and inflammation. This study examined the immune responses in 12 older Firefighters (FF) and 12 older Non-Firefighters (Non-FF), and a group of 6 young FF and 6 young Non-FF, following intermittent exercise in the heat.

The participants, matched for age, body surface area, body composition, and VO(2peak), cycled 4 × 15 min at moderate-to-high heat production (400 W), each followed by 15-min rest, in dry [10-20% relative humidity (RH)] and humid (60% RH) heat (35 °C). Rectal temperature (T(re)) and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously, and blood samples at baseline (PRE) and following 60-min recovery (POST) were analyzed for Interleukin (IL)-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count (PLT), and mean platelet volume (MPV).

No differences were observed for T(re), HR, TNF-α, CRP, or PLT between the FF and Non-FF in either condition. The Non-FF had greater changes in IL-6 (Warm/Dry = +1.10 ± 0.18, Warm/Humid = +2.94 ± 0.74 pg mL(-1)), compared to the FF (Warm/Dry = +0.67 ± 0.17, Warm/Humid = +0.70 ± 0.33 pg mL(-1)), and MPV at PRE/POST compared to the FF. Between the young and older FF and Non-FF, no differences in T(re), HR, PLT, or MPV were observed, however, elevated CRP (Warm/Dry) in the older FF, and IL-6 (Warm/Dry) and TNF-α (both conditions) in the older Non-FF, were observed.

The elevated IL-6 in the Non-FF is potentially indicative of increased strain in the Non-FF and/or adaptive changes in the FF due to the occupational demands.