Physical Activity and Injuries Relating to Physical Fitness of Professional Firefighters.

Background
The profession of a firefighter involves multiple factors that directly or indirectly impact on the person's health. The aim of this study was to establish the correlation between physical fitness of the selected group of firefighters with respect to anthropometric parameters, additional physical activity, and injury rate.

Material and methods
The study examined 77 men who worked for the State Fire Service (age: 28.87±9.84 years, body mass: 82.13±9.37 kg, body height: 180.12±6.39 cm). Of he study group, 53% of the fire-fighters had normal BMI, 42% were overweight and 5% had first degree obesity. The study used a survey questionnaire concerning the anthropometric data, previous injuries, physiotherapeutic procedures following the injury, and participants' involvement in additional physical activity. A physical fitness test battery was used to determine the correlation between physical fitness and: age, BMI and additional physical activity and injury rate.

Results
Musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 51% of all injuries. Of all injuries, 56% were occupational. The correlations between the results of the handgrip test were insignificant with respect to BMI and age, whereas in other tests, the correlations were statistically significant (p<0.05). No differences were observed in the results of handgrip test between the group of firefighters who were and those who were not involve in additional physical activity. Comparison of the results obtained by firefighters following the injury and without previous injuries revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the 4 x 10 m shuttle run.

Conclusions
Age and higher values of BMI are the factors that reduce the level of physical fitness of firefighters. Involvement in additional physical activity is a factor in improving physical fitness of firefighters. Previous injuries the firefighters had suffered did not have an effect on their physical fitness.