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. A study by R. Jurca et.al., in Med. Sci. Sports Exerc 36(38), found a relationship between aerobic fitness and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a group of men enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. This relationship has not been examined in male firefighters. PURPOSE To determine the association of metabolic syndrome and aerobic fitness in male fire fighters. METHODS As part of an annual physical exam, 41 male fire fighters (average age = 37) 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 VO2max from time on treadmill during a Bruce protocol. RESULTS The subjects were ranked and divided into quartiles based on VO2max. All data were analyzed using a Chi Square test (p <.05). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across quartiles as aerobic fitness declined. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest a significant negative relationship between aerobic fitness and metabolic syndrome. These data are similar to the results found by R. Jurca et.al.