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SHIFT-48: Schedule and Health Improvements for Firefighters Transitioning to 48/96
Michael J Conner1, Russell A Burnham, Alex Jesko
1From the Front Line Mobile Health, Granbury, Texas (M.J.C., R.A.B., A.J.), School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (K.J.W.), Neuromuscular and Occupational Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (P.E.M., J.A.M.); and Roanoke Fire Department, Roanoke, Texas (M.B.).
Objective:
Examine the effects of transitioning from a 24/48 to a 48/96 shift schedule on health and performance in firefighters assigned to a single, suburban station.
Methods:
A longitudinal analysis was conducted over 3 time points in 11 male firefighters. Measures included VO 2peak , peak power, blood pressure, resting heart rate, lipid profiles, and psychological assessments. Linear mixed-effects models analyzed changes across time points.
Results:
Transitioning to the 48/96 schedule was associated with improvements in peak power (+27.1 W, P = 0.042), resting blood pressure (SBP -5.5 mm Hg, P = 0.05, DBP -5.8 mm Hg, P = 0.04), heart rate (-13.2 bpm, P = 0.03), sleep quality (ISI -2.6, P = 0.03), and alcohol use (AUDIT -1.8, P = 0.02); VO 2peak did not reveal a significant time effect ( P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Extended intershift recovery in a 48/96 schedule may promote cardiovascular recovery and readiness without negative health effects in similar departments.
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