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. 2023 May 1;65(5):e351-e357.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002822. Epub 2023 Mar 12.

Exercise Habits and Resources for Southeastern US Firefighters

Philip Agostinelli  1 , Rebecca Hirschhorn, JoEllen Sefton
Affiliations

Exercise Habits and Resources for Southeastern US Firefighters

Philip Agostinelli et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess exercise habits and facility resources accessible to southeastern US firefighters.

Methods: Firefighters completed questionnaires on topics including demographics, work demands, exercise methods, and facility resources.

Results: Sixty-six percent of participants reported they engage in exercise ≥30 min/d. More firefighters engaged in exercise when better on-site equipment options were available ( P = 0.001). Perception of how on-shift exercise impacts occupational performance did not impact their on-shift exercise ( P = 0.17).

Conclusions: Although 34% reported not meeting exercise guidelines, the majority of southeastern US firefighters reported meeting these guidelines and allotted exercise time on-shift. Exercise habits are impacted by equipment options, but not call volume or perception of on-shift exercise. Open-ended question responses suggested that perception of on-shift exercise did not deter firefighters from exercising on-shift but may impact intensity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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