title: Cardiovascular effects of an exercise program: a controlled study among firemen.
abstract: Twenty-seven firemen were divided into three groups. Group a performed one hour of unsupervised exercise three to four times per week. Group C performed similar but supervised exercise, and group B had no exercise program. After 12 weeks group A showed an average increase of 19% in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max); group C, an average increase of 20%; and group B, an average decrease of 2%. One-minute postalarm heart rates showed a correlation with VO2 max (p = 15). A serious cardiac arrhythmia was found in the oldest fireman. Careful physical screening followed by an on-the-job exercise program increases aerobic reserve. We suggest that postalarm tachycardia is dampened. This may lessen the risk of heart disease occurring in the postalarm period.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005390:Fires; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012119:Respiration
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen