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Cardiovascular risk screening of volunteer firefighters
conference contribution
posted on 2013-01-01, 00:00 authored by Alex Wolkow, Kevin Netto, P Langridge, J Green, D Nichols, M Sergeant, Brad AisbettBrad AisbettBackground: The work demands involved in firefighting place significant stress on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the application of the AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire in volunteer Country Fire Brigade (CFA) firefighters. Methods: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were measured in 3777 CFA firefighters and entered into a modified version of the American Heart Association (AHA)/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire to stratify individuals as low, moderate or high risk. Results: Just over half (50.8%) of female and more than two thirds (68.2%) of male CFA firefighters were classified as moderate risk. The questionnaire further stratified 2.6% of female and 5.2% of male CFA firefighters as high risk while the remaining 46.6% and 26.6% of female and male firefighters, respectively, were classified as low risk. Conclusion: The majority of firefighters screened were at moderate risk and therefore, would be advised by AHA/ACSM guidelines to undertake and pass a detailed medical examination and a medically supervised exercise test prior to initiating vigorous intensity physical activity. However, considering the financial and practical implications (e.g., reduced emergency response capacity) the introduction of mandatory screening may cause, fire agencies should focus screening for high risk personnel only, while promoting agency wide CVD health education.
History
Event
Bushfire CRC & AFAC. Conference Research Forum (2012 : Perth, Western Australia)Pagination
170 - 184Publisher
Bushfire CRCLocation
Perth, Western AustraliaPlace of publication
[Perth, W.A.]Start date
2012-08-28End date
2012-08-28Language
engPublication classification
E1.1 Full written paper - refereedCopyright notice
2012, Bushfire CRCEditor/Contributor(s)
R Thornton, L WrightTitle of proceedings
Proceedings of Bushfire CRC & AFAC 2012 Conference Research ForumUsage metrics
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