title: Exploring Physical Health in a Sample of Firefighters.
abstract: Firefighters' work responsibilities involve strenuous physical activity and exposure to extremely stressful situations. The purpose of this research study was to describe the physical activity, stress, and culture promoting or inhibiting a healthy work environment. A descriptive qualitative study design was used with a convenience sample of firefighters from an urban Midwestern public fire service. Respondents participated in focus groups from which data were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Themes derived from the data were Stressors Affecting Physical Health, Barriers to Physical Health, Facilitators of Physical Health, and Motivators for Physical Health. Future research is needed to test interventions based on the study findings.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati.
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lovejoy
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati gordon.gillespie@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Gordon L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christianson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: firefighters; physical fitness; physiological stress; qualitative research