Impact of wildland firefighting on arterial stiffness and cardiorespiratory fitness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of wildland firefighting on measures of cardiovascular health. The study was carried out in two parts. Part one assessed relationships between years of wildland firefighting and cardiovascular variables (n = 28). Part two looked at cardiovascular variables pre and post a wildland firefighting season (n = 18). Independent of age, a statistically significant relationship between number of seasons firefighting and VO_2max was found (r²=.140, p=.048). A statistically significant reduction in VO_2max of −4.1 ± 5.7 ml·kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ was witnessed following fire season (95%CI=-6.9 to −1.3, p=.048). Year to date hazard pay was significantly correlated with ankle-brachial index (r=-.474, p=.040). Wildland firefighters who reported >640 h of hazard pay had a greater VO_2max reduction than those reporting less hazard pay (-1.7 ± 5.7 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ vs. −7.1 ± 4.3 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, p=.037). Wildland firefighting may negatively impact cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial health.

Keywords:

• Smoke exposure
• blood pressure
• VO_2max
• pulse wave velocity

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Funding

The authors report that there was no funding source for the work that resulted in the article or the preparation of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zachary Zeigler

Zachary Zeigler: Zachary Zeigler was the one who designed the study, guided his research assistants in data collection, drafted the manuscript, and approved the manuscript in the current form. Joe Sol was integral in drafting and editing the manuscript. Joe was the content expert out of the group and provided critical guidance along the entire way. Joe approved the manuscript in its current form. Payton Greer was one of two research assistants who performed data collection and analysis. Payton also provided edits to the manuscript and approved the manuscript in the current form. Laura Verduzco was one of two research assistants who performed data collection and analysis. Laura also provided edits to the manuscript and approved the manuscript in the current form.