title: Determining Best Practices to Reduce Occupational Health Risks in Firefighters.
abstract: The physical demands of firefighting are extensive, and firefighters face increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, musculoskeletal injury, and cancer. To reduce these risks, a tailored wellness initiative program (FIT Firefighter) was developed and executed. Implementation of FIT Firefighter, consisting of assessment, educational, instructional, and personal coaching and training elements regarding nutrition, health, fitness, wellness, and strength and conditioning, revealed enhanced healthy behavior change including increased motivation and marked improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate, aerobic fitness, body mass index, waist circumference, percent body fat, back flexibility, and biceps strength among participating firefighters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology and Health Promotion, Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Travis J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Twilbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012306:Risk; D055105:Waist Circumference