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Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease in Professional Firefighters

Matthew J McAllister1, Drew E Gonzalez, Megan Leonard

  • 1From the Metabolic & Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health & Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas (Dr McAllister); Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (Mr Gonzalez, Ms Leonard, Dr Martin); ALERRT Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas (Dr Martaindale); Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Memphis, Tennessee (Dr Bloomer, Dr Pence).

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|October 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

High cardiorespiratory fitness and a smaller waist circumference are crucial for firefighters to reduce cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk. This study highlights key factors for firefighter health and longevity.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Firefighters face high rates of cardiometabolic disease (CMD).
  • Risk factors include obesity, poor fitness, and abnormal blood lipids.
  • Markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance offer deeper insights into CMD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between fitness metrics, body composition, blood lipids, and blood pressure with key CMD biomarkers.
  • To examine the relationship between years of experience and CMD risk markers in firefighters.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, percent body fat, and waist circumference.
  • Measured blood lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol), blood pressure, and specific CMD biomarkers.
  • Included Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Main Results:

  • Elevated waist circumference and triglyceride levels correlated with higher AOPPs and HOMA-IR.
  • Improved cardiorespiratory fitness showed inverse relationships with AOPPs, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein.

Conclusions:

  • High cardiorespiratory fitness is vital for mitigating CMD risk factors in firefighters.
  • Maintaining a low waist circumference is important for reducing oxidative stress and insulin resistance markers.
Abstract

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