Fit for rescue? Cardiovascular risk and cardiorespiratory fitness of active firefighters in emergency service in North Rhine-Westphalia

Prospective examination of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters (FFs) in Germany and comparison with the international literature. A total of 97 North Rhine-Westphalian FFs working in emergency service participated in the study (time period 1/2014-9/2014). Participation was voluntary and data were anonymized. Anthropometric parameters, CV risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness were examined. In order to estimate the 10-year CV risk, the Framingham Risk Score was utilized. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the definition of the International Diabetes Federation. The examined FFs demonstrated a significant tendency towards obesity which was shown by the BMI and by abdominal waist circumference. In 32 % of FFs, an increased abdominal waist circumference was measured. Systolic resting blood pressure was elevated in 17.5 % of FFs; diastolic resting blood pressure was increased in 40.2 %. The relative maximal oxygen uptake (rel. VO2max; 37.3 +/- 6.3 ml a (TM) kg(-1)min(-1)) was comparable with the average citizen. In international comparison, the 10-year CV risk can be seen as equivalent or less (according to the Framingham Risk Score). In 14 % of the examined FFs, a metabolic syndrome was detected. When regarding the metabolic syndrome, the international comparison revealed that the prevalence of the German FFs was among the lowest. The results showed frequent CV risks factors in the examined FFs. Especially in a job which requires physical fitness, the results lead to a need for action in order to minimize the CV risk factors and to improve their fitness. Due to the particular labor conditions FFs have to be educated (empowerment). The setting has to be changed (internal training programs and leisure time activities toward more physical fitness) to decrease CV risk factors and to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Therefore, an implementation of health-promoting concepts should be taken into consideration.