Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Firefighters: Initial Results of a Multi-Phased Study

To address which body composition (BC) measures best correlate with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in firefighters and develop a model for accurate CRF estimation compared with traditional methods. METHODS: Career firefighters had body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) measured in addition to body fat percentage (FM%) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). CRF as maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) was estimated by rowing machine and measured by indirect calorimetry in a treadmill exercise test. RESULTS: Fifty two firefighters participated (92.3% men). Univariate correlations with BMI were best with WC. Univariate correlations with VO(2max) were best with FM%. Obesity classifications by BC measures agreed weakly at best. Multivariate analysis of several variables yielded an improved VO(2max) estimate (R(2) = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: Fire departments may benefit from more sophisticated measures of BC and CRF to evaluate firefighter fitness.