Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Inversely Associated With Aortic Arterial Stiffness in Firefighters. Issue 10 (6th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nagel, Tom R.; Melton, Bridget F.; Keeler, Jason M.; Cross, Brett L.; Blumenburg, Wesley T.; Flatt, Andrew A.; Stoner, Lee; Grosicki, Gregory J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 64:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: e641
• Page End: e646
• Publication Date: 2022-10-06
• Subjects: vascular -- pulse wave velocity -- cardiovascular disease -- coronary heart disease -- exercise; 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.0000000000002657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a systems physiology approach to health, was negatively associated (i.e., protective) with resting aortic arterial stiffness in firefighters. This finding highlights the need to raise CRF in firefighters, supporting recommendations from the National Firefighter Protection Agency. Abstract : Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), expressed as VO2 max (mL/kg/min), is associated with resting AS (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cf-PWV]) and the AS response to simulated fire suppression activities in firefighters. Methods: In firefighters (n = 20, 34 ± 8 years), AS was determined using cf-PWV (m/s) before and after a fire simulation exercise. VO2 max was determined using a standard treadmill protocol. Linear regression models, adjusted for body fat percentage, are reported as unstandardized (b) and standardized (β) betas (effect sizes). Results: H1: there was a moderate (ie, β = 0.5–0.8), inverse association between cf-PWV and VO2 max (b = −0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.14 to −0.02; β = 0.71). H2: there was a moderate, positive association between ∆cf-PWV and VO2 max (b = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.00–0.10; β = 0.62). Conclusions: These findings indicate that CRF may protect against arterial stiffening in firefighters.