CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL, RISCO CARDIOVASCULAR E CAPACIDADE MUSCULAR PERIFÉRICA E INSPIRATÓRIA EM BOMBEIROS MILITARES

Abstract

Introduction: The work of military firefighters requires high physical capacity and quick responses to unpredictable situations, often carried out under adverse conditions and with heavy equipment. Activities such as victim rescue, load transport, and stair climbing demand good cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, endurance, and functional ability. Thus, physical fitness, particularly strength and functional capacity, is essential for performance and team safety. Objective: To assess the functional capacity (six-minute step test), peripheral muscle strength (handgrip strength and the one-minute sit-to-stand test), inspiratory strength (maximal inspiratory pressure), and cardiovascular risk (Framingham Risk Score) of military firefighters. Method: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study with a convenience sample of 78 firefighters (60 men and 18 women) from the 1st and 6th Firefighting Groups in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. Participants were divided into two groups according to age: young adults (18–39 years) and adults (40–65 years). Results: Adults showed higher values of body mass index (p=0.002), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.042), and LDL cholesterol (p<0.001) compared with young adults. There was also a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (p<0.001) and moderate cardiovascular risk (p=0.016) among adults. No significant differences were found in body weight, height, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, or peripheral and inspiratory muscle strength (p>0.05). Conclusion: Age negatively influenced body composition, cardiovascular risk, and physical fitness among firefighters, without a significant impact on peripheral or respiratory muscle strength.