Musculoskeletal Injuries, Exercise Behaviors, and Reproductive Health Are Related to Physical Fitness of Female First-Responders and Health Care Providers.
Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.) · 2024-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKi) are the most common injury type experienced by first-responders and health care providers (HCPs), making them a significant threat to physical and mental well-being. Female reproductive health and injury history has been related to physical fitness in female members of the Canadian Armed Forces. This relationship has not been explored in Canadian protective services personnel (first-responders) or HCPs. METHODS: Fifty-seven females employed as firefighters, paramedics, law enforcements, or HCPs completed a physical fitness protocol to assess the following: (1) muscular power (standing long jump and medicine ball throw), (2) muscular strength (4 repetition maximum (4RM) back squats and bench press), (3) muscular endurance (Biering-Sorenson test, single-leg wall sit, and push-ups), (4) flexibility (sit-and-reach), and (5) aerobic capacity (graded treadmill VO2max test). Spearman rho correlation analyses were applied to descriptive analysis, independent-samples t-test, one-way ANCOVA (adjusted by age), and chi-square test. Spearman rho correlation analyses were used to compare physical fitness results for female reproductive health history (e.g., parity status), previous MSKi, and physical activity behaviors (e.g., sports participation). A p value of <0.05 is considered significant. RESULTS: History of childbirth, body composition, and exercise behaviors were related to physical fitness (i.e., standing long jump, Biering-Sorenson test, bench press, and back squat) in law enforcement, firefighting, paramedicine, and health care personnel. CONCLUSIONS: Physical training programs aimed at supporting parous first-responders or HCPs should emphasize lower body power, lower body strength, and upper body strength.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Paramedics & EMTs · Fire service & police · Sex & gender
Related articles
- Unmasking the divide: Musculoskeletal injury and physical fitness disparities among military and emergency responders. (J Mil Veteran Fam Health, 2025)
- Impact of extreme bushfire seasons on rates of occupational injury and disease compensation claims in first responders. (Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 2024)
- Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric symptoms among first responders in a Southern State. (Arch Psychiatr Nurs, 2018)
- Patterns of Primary Care Use and Clinical Assessment Practices Among Treatment-seeking First Responders. (J Occup Environ Med, 2026)
- Pre-Employment physical capacity testing as a predictor of musculoskeletal injury in Victorian paramedics. (Work, 2021)
- Accessing Medical Care After a Needlestick Injury: First Responders' Perception of HIV Risk and Attitudes Toward Syringe Service Programs. (J Community Health, 2020)