Banca de DEFESA: Rosenkranz Maciel Nogueira

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : Rosenkranz Maciel Nogueira
DATE: 21/07/2023
TIME: 14:30
LOCAL: Sala 47 FEF/UnB
TITLE:

TEMPORAL TRENDS OF CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION OF BRAZILIAN MILITARY FIREFIGHTERS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL PRINCIPLES

KEY WORDS:

Military firefighter; BMI; CRF; NFPA.

PAGES: 100
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Educação Física
SUMMARY:

Introduction: Firefighters are recognized for their involvement in various high-risk professional
activities associated with physical and psychological demands. Due to the nature of their work,
firefighters are expected to maintain a high level of physical fitness. The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) in the United States recommends a minimum cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)
standard of 12.0 METs to ensure that firefighters can perform their duties safely and effectively.
However, this standard does not account for gender differences in physical fitness or the natural decline
in fitness with aging. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the longitudinal changes in body
composition and cardiorespiratory fitness among male military firefighters (FF). Additionally, we
sought to compare the prevalence of firefighters classified as fit/unfit based on CRF using both fixed
(12.0 METs) and age-adjusted standards. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal trend study was
conducted among male FF from the Military Fire Department of the Federal District (CBMDF) using
physical fitness tests conducted between 2006 and 2018, which included 64,039 physical evaluations.
From these data, all male FF with valid CRF and body mass index (BMI) data in all follow-up years
were included, resulting in the evaluation of 1,327 firefighters over a 12-year period, representing 27%
of the current male FF population in CBMDF. Paired t-tests were used to compare changes in CRF and
body composition, while Cohen's d-test was used to assess effect size. According to the fixed standard,
participants with CRF <12.0 METs or ≥12.0 METs were classified as unfit or fit, respectively. For the
age-adjusted standard, Cooper's classification was used, grouping superior, excellent, and good
categories as "fit" and fair, poor, and very poor as unfit. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2.
McNemar's test was used to compare prevalence estimates. A longitudinal panel data linear regression
analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between CRF and different BMI classifications
over the years. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves was conducted to assess the risk of
developing obesity, and Cox regression was used to determine the independence and significance of
CRF in relation to the time until the obesity outcome. Differences were considered statistically
significant at the 5% level. R software (version 4.2) and JAMOVI software (version 2.2.5) were used
for statistical analysis. Results: A significant decline in CRF and an increase in BMI were observed
among middle-aged FF over the twelve-year period (p<0.001). The prevalence of obese firefighters
increased significantly, as did the prevalence of unfit FF based on both the fixed (12 METs) and ageadjusted
standards (p<0.001). After the twelve-year interval, the odds of a firefighter becoming obese
were 22.5 (11.1-45.7) times higher. Regarding CRF, the chance of becoming unfit, based on the fixed
criterion, was 6.1 (4.8-7.9) times higher after 12 years, while considering age, this chance was 2.7 (2.2-
3.3) times higher. FF with CRF <12 METs in 2006 had a 2.48-fold increased risk of obesity compared
to those with higher CRF. In the age-adjusted model, the risk remained significant (HR=2.07, 1.67-
2.57). Furthermore, it was observed that a 1 MET increase reduced the risk of a firefighter becoming
obese by 28%. Conclusion: There was a significant decline in CRF and an increase in BMI among
middle-aged Brazilian male military firefighters over a 12-year period. When CRF was categorized
based on a fixed standard of 12.0 METs or age-adjusted categories, the percentage of unfit firefighters
decreased significantly after the 12-year follow-up period. The findings highlight the importance of
establishing an approach that combines specific occupational demands, prioritizing job requirements,
along with an approach that respects physiological age adjustment principles. In summary, the results of
this study have significant implications for the health and well-being of firefighters, as well as for the
organization and planning of firefighting corporations. It is essential to adopt comprehensive and
adaptive measures to address the challenges arising from the aging of these professionals, thus ensuring
their safety and efficient performance of their essential societal functions.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo ao Programa - 1866960 - AMERICO PIERANGELI COSTA - nullExterno à Instituição - EDGARD DE MELO KEENE VON KOENIG SOARES - UAB/UNB
Interno - 2353151 - GUILHERME ECKHARDT MOLINA
Externo à Instituição - HONORIO ASSIS FILHO CRISPIM - CBM-DF
Presidente - 1995036 - LUIZ GUILHERME GROSSI PORTO