Review Article

Impact of physical activity on cardiovascular health in firefighters: Scoping review

Ghaleelullah Achmat, Charlene Erasmus, Jill Kanaley, Rucia November, Lloyd Leach
Health SA Gesondheid | Vol 30 | a2713 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v30i0.2713 | © 2025 Ghaleelullah Achmat, Charlene Erasmus, Jill Kanaley, Rucia November, Lloyd Leach | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 April 2024 | Published: 28 January 2025

About the author(s)

Ghaleelullah Achmat, Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, Faculty of Community and Health Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Charlene Erasmus, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Jill Kanaley, Department of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
Rucia November, Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, Faculty of Community and Health Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Lloyd Leach, Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, Faculty of Community and Health Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Firefighters’ duties include fire response, emergency medical treatment and rescue operations. Noncompliance with physical activity (PA) guidelines increases adverse health behaviours and the risk of on-duty fatalities. While PA is known to treat cardiovascular disease (CVD), its impact on risky health behaviours in firefighters is under-researched.

Aim: This scoping review aimed to evaluate PA’s effects on firefighters’ cardiovascular health.

Method: The review followed PRISMA-ScR and PRISMA Protocol standards, involving a comprehensive search across databases like Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, EbscoHost, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL (EBSCO), SAGE Journals, ScienceDirect and Scopus, covering publications up to June 2023. The purpose was to compile evidence on PA programs’ effects on fire and rescue services (FRS).

Results: Five intervention studies were included, examining PA effects on firefighters with smoking habits, poor diet, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyles. These interventions recommend 150 minutes per week of aerobic, flexibility and strength activities. Firefighters should be guided to initiate and maintain 150 minutes of PA weekly to promote health strategies.

Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating lifestyle changes with low- and moderate-intensity PA into fire services is crucial for improving health risk behaviours (HRBs). Implementing multilevel interventions is necessary to drive policy changes supporting firefighters facing HRBs.

Contribution: Educating firefighters about these behaviours is essential, fostering an understanding of healthy alternatives.


Keywords

firefighters; health risk behaviour; physical activity; sedentary lifestyle; cardiovascular disease

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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