Relationship Between Muscular Fitness And Health Related Quality Of Life In Professional Firefighters

Abstract

High muscular fitness levels are needed to perform occupational tasks for a professional firefighter. Common occupational tasks include heavy equipment carrying, forced entry and securing. However, current evidence suggests fitness levels often decline over the course of a firefighter’s career, which in turn impacts occupational task performance capabilities. Additionally, work-related stress occurring during the careers of firefighters contributes to higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder compared to civilian counterparts. Health related quality of life (HRQoL) considers the elements that impact individual feelings of well-being and its perception may be influenced by components of physical and mental health. Currently, limited research exists describing the relationship between muscular fitness and HRQoL in professional firefighters. PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between muscular fitness and HRQoL in professional firefighters. METHODS: 35 firefighters (31 males, 4 females, 36 ± 7 years, 178 ± 8 cm, 88.5 ± 18 kg) participated in the study. Five muscular fitness assessments were performed: maximum vertical jump, 1-repetition maximum bench press, maximum repetitions of pull-ups, maximum repetitions of push-ups, and the wall sit and reach. HRQoL was measured using the Short-Form (SF) 36 Questionnaire. Physical and mental composite scores were computed for the SF 36. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were calculated for each variable. Pearson correlation tests were used to assess association between variables (p <0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between pull-ups and the mental component of HRQoL (r = -0.37; p < 0.05). No other statistically significant relationships were found. Mean pull-up and mental health composite scores were 7.1 ± 6.5 repetitions and 80.3 ± 10.8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It was unexpected that none of the fitness assessments were found to have a significant relationship with the physical composite score. Furthermore, the finding that only a single component of muscular fitness had a significant relationship with mental health is a novel finding. Based on results, HRQoL of professional firefighters might be the product of numerous factors and deserves further study.