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Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption
Published on: June 20, 2025
Comparable Levels of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Firefighters From Two
Halle N Brin1, Mohan D Perumal, Samantha R Kopp
1From the Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (H.N.B.); Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS (H.N.B., M.D.P., S.R.K., E.L.H., M.J.C.); Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND (N.D.D.); Department of Education, Health, and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (T.J.W.); and School of Health and Consumer Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD (A.M.B.).
Objective:
The aim of the study is to objectively assess if firefighters are meeting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and American College of Sports Medicine/American Heart Association physical activity (PA) guidelines.
Methods:
Two independent fire departments from the Midwest participated in the study. Firefighters wore an accelerometer to track PA and associated intensities. In addition, firefighters completed a stage-graded exercise test TO determine their maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O 2max ).
Results:
A total of 43 career firefighters completed the study (fire department 1 [FD1]: n = 29, FD2: n = 14). Almost half (44.8% FD1 and 42.9% FD2) met the NFPA CRF guidelines. Compared with the American College of Sports Medicine PA Guidelines of 30 min/d of moderate-to-vigorous PA, more than half of FD2 (57.1%) met the recommended amount of PA, whereas FD1 had less than half (48.3%).
Conclusions:
These data demonstrate the need to improve firefighters' PA levels, CRF, and overall health.
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