Affiliations: [a]
California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, USA
| [b]
A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Andrew Harveson, PhD, CSCS, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, USA. E-mail: aharveson@calbaptist.edu or 951-343-2178.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
Firefighter health is of utmost importance both to first responders and the individuals they serve daily. The impact of shift schedule on firefighter health remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in health and performance outcomes in firefighters across two different shift schedules. METHODS:
Firefighter (N = 1995) body composition, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance were assessed and described. A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to compare differences between shift schedules (48/96 and 4’s and 6’s). RESULTS:
There was a statistically significant difference in BMI (U = 70115, z=–1.988, p = .047), BF% (U = 67341, z=–2.779, p = .005), and trunk flexion score (U = 81362, z = 1.979, p = .048) favoring the 48/96 shift schedule. CONCLUSION:
Firefighters following a 48/96 shift schedule exhibited improved body composition and fitness performance in comparison to peers who followed a 4’s and 6’s shift schedule. Findings may guide regional firefighter scheduling to optimize health and performance.
Keywords: Keywords: Firefighter, health, physical fitness, cardiorespiratory disease, shift work
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230388
Journal: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1115-1122, 2024
