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Firefighters' Physical Activity and Waist Circumference as Predictors of VO2max
Allison M Barry1, Katie J Lyman, Nathan D Dicks
1Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas (Dr Barry); Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (Dr Barry, Dr Lyman, Dr Dicks, Ms Landin, Dr Hackney); Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota (Dr Dicks); Department of Human Development and Family Science (Dr McGeorge), North Dakota State University, Fargo; Department of Education, Health, and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks (Dr Walch), North Dakota.
Objective:
To examine associations among objectively measured physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in firefighters.
Methods:
Career firefighters (n = 29; male = 100%) wore accelerometers to assess PA. BMI and WC classified obesity. Each participant completed a stage-graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)).
Results:
Two linear regression models were used to investigate whether PA intensities, step count, BMI, or WC were predictive of "true" (Equation is included in full-text article.). Vigorous physical activity (VPA) was predictive of "true" (Equation is included in full-text article.)(F[1,27] = 7.89, R = 0.23, P < 0.01). Additionally, when BMI and WC were added, only WC was predictive of "true" (Equation is included in full-text article.)(F[1,27] = 11.76, R = 0.30, P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Fire departments should be cognizent of ways to increase PA levels, decrease excess weight gain, and maintain CRF to adequately perform job-specific tasks.
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