Association of Aerobic Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Male Firefighters

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome has been shown in numerous studies to be related to a higher incidence of coronary artery disease. However, research exploring this relationship is still lacking in male firefighters, whose leading cause of line-of-duty deaths is heart attacks. PURPOSE: To further evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome and aerobic fitness in male fire fighters. METHODS: As part of an annual physical exam, 206 male fire fighters (70.6 ± 3.7 in, 204 ± 37.6 lb, 37.2 ± 10.6 yr) underwent evaluation of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP III. These include the presence of three or more of the following: Waist Circumference > 40", HDL Cholesterol < 40 mg/dL, Triglycerides > 150 mg/dL, Blood Glucose > 110 mg/dL, and Resting Blood Pressure > 130/85 mm Hg. Aerobic Fitness was determined by estimating VO2peak from time on treadmill during a Bruce protocol. The subjects were ranked and divided into quartiles based on VO2peak. All data were analyzed using a Chi Square test. RESULTS:TableCONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across quartiles as aerobic fitness declined (p < 0.05). These data suggest that as aerobic fitness improves, the likelihood of male firefighters having metabolic syndrome decreases.