Wildland Firefighting: Adverse Influence on Indices of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coker, Robert H.; Murphy, Carl J.; Johannsen, Michelle; Galvin, Grant; Ruby, Brent C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 61:Issue 3(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: body composition -- cholesterol -- intrahepatic lipid -- metabolic -- wildland firefighter; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre- and postseason measures of body composition, skeletal muscle, and blood parameters/liver lipid in wildland firefighters (WLFF) over the fire season. Methods: Alaskan WLFF ( N = 27) crews were evaluated pre- and postwildfire season, which included 63 ± 10 operational days. Body composition, thigh muscle area, and liver lipid were quantified using dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Blood metabolic and lipid panels were also collected and analyzed. Results: Total body, fat, and visceral fat mass increased from pre- to postseason ( P < 0.05). Total cholesterol, LDL, and total globulin also increased ( P < 0.05). There was a trend ( P = 0.06) towards an increase in intrahepatic lipid. Conclusions: The observed maladaptive changes in adipose tissue, blood lipids, and hepatic function may reflect adaptations/consequences to occupational demands/conditions and warrant evaluation of appropriate countermeasures.