Peate W F, Lundergan Linda, Johnson Jerry J
College of Public Health, Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, 1435 N. Fremont, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.
J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Jun;44(6):546-50. doi: 10.1097/00043764-200206000-00017.
Firefighters work at maximal levels of exertion. Fitness for such duty requires adequate aerobic capacity (maximum oxygen consumption [Vo2max]). Aerobic fitness can both improve a worker's ability to perform and offer resistance to cardiopulmonary conditions. Inactive firefighters have a 90% greater risk of myocardial infarction than those who are aerobically fit. Participants (101 firefighters) completed a questionnaire that asked them to rank their fitness level from 0 to 7; e.g., Level 0 was low fitness: "I avoid walking or exertion, e.g., always use elevator, drive whenever possible." The level of activity rating increased to Level 7: "I run over 10 miles per week or spend 3 hours per week in comparable physical activity." Each participant then completed two measures of Vo2max: a 5-minute step test and a submaximal treadmill test. There was no association between the firefighters' self-perception of their level of fitness and their aerobic capacity as measured by either step test or submaximal treadmill. Because of the critical job demands of firefighting and the negative consequences of inadequate fitness and aerobic capacity, periodic aerobic capacity testing with individualized exercise prescriptions and work--community support may be advisable for all active-duty firefighters.
消防员工作时需竭尽全力。胜任此类工作需要有足够的有氧能力（最大摄氧量[Vo2max]）。有氧适能既能提高消防员的工作能力，又能增强对心肺疾病的抵抗力。缺乏运动的消防员患心肌梗死的风险比有氧适能良好的消防员高90%。参与者（101名消防员）完成了一份问卷，问卷要求他们将自己的健康水平从0到7进行排名；例如，0级表示健康水平低：“我避免步行或运动，例如总是乘坐电梯，尽可能开车。”活动评级水平提高到7级：“我每周跑步超过10英里或每周花费3小时进行类似的体育活动。”然后，每位参与者完成了两项最大摄氧量测量：5分钟台阶测试和次极量跑步机测试。消防员对自身健康水平的自我认知与通过台阶测试或次极量跑步机测试所测得的有氧能力之间没有关联。鉴于消防工作的关键要求以及健康和有氧能力不足的负面后果，对所有现役消防员进行定期有氧能力测试，并给予个性化的运动处方以及工作——社区支持，可能是明智之举。
