Tai Chi as a Possible Way to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Firefighters

Details

• Personal Author:
  Christianson J
• Description:
  Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, with one in every four deaths related to heart disease (CDC, 2010). In firefighters, 39 out of 100 occupational deaths are attributed to heart disease (Drew-Nord et al., 2009). According to Linville (2009), firefighter's mortality may be prevented with optimal physical conditioning. Improving physical fitness results in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and obesity, improving physical strength, and delaying the onset of chronic health problems. Purpose: To test the effectiveness of Tai Chi to reduce cardiac risk factors in firefighters. The specific aims: (a) to determine if Tai Chi is beneficial in reducing cardiac risk factors of heart rate, blood pressure, and body fat within a group of firefighters, and (b) to determine if Tai Chi is beneficial in improving the physiological endurance factors of wall squat, balance, and fatigue. Methods: Quasi-experimental design (two groups, repeated measures) with 60 participants from urban fire departments in a mid-size city (intervention group = 31, comparison group = 29). The intervention group received Tai Chi instruction for one hour a week for 10 weeks from a Tai Chi Master. Dependent variables were heart rate, blood pressure, body fat, lower body strength, balance, fatigue, and life stress. Results: In the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in heart rate between initial measures and midpoint of the study (Mdiff = 4.46 p = 0.15). From initial measurement to the third and final measurement, mean heart rate was reduced (Mdiff = 3.267, p = 0.55); systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction was significant (Mdiff = 9.30, p = 0.003) and (Mdiff = 4.67, p = 0.011), respectively; and body fat significantly decreased (Mdiff = -.982, p = 0.012). Time of maintaining a wall squat position significantly increased (Mdiff = 3.287, p = 0.005); the chronic fatigue score was significantly reduced (Mdiff = - 5.69, p = 0.007); and the acute fatigue score increased (Mdiff = .39288, p = .0690). Inter-shift recovery and balance measures were not significant. In the comparison group, the only significant change was an increase in body fat measures (Mdiff = -4.38, p = 0.023). Wall squat measures, chronic fatigue, and inter-shift recovery were not significant; and acute fatigue increased (Mdiff = .39286, p = 0.858). On the Life Stress Event Score, 29 participants in the intervention group (93.5%, Mdiff = 53.7) and 26 participants in the comparison group (89.7%, Mdiff = 47.6) were in the low-risk category. Conclusion: The study found that a 10-week session of Tai Chi reduced the cardiovascular risk factors of elevated heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and body fat percentage. Through the use of group sessions with a Tai Chi Master, a video for station or home use, and a fire station champion, participants engaged in an activity that has shown improvement in risks related to coronary heart disease. Although balance did not improve significantly in this study, measurement at longer time points may show a benefit over time. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular System Firefighters Mortality Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Cardiovascular Disease Fire Fighters Heart Disease Intervention Effectiveness Mortality Rates Obesity Physical Exercise Physical Fitness
• ISBN:
  9781267475589
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Dissertation
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056594
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2012 May; :3517317
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Tai Chi as a possible way to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in firefighters
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c8e49e93c0833d4a851f5d828307815e3bd42a665b7ef5ecef6f361fd95d690351701ce291b5d43f5de59817b08d96ee69157831471a6d435c12ea3e4bbff18d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214174/cdc_214174_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 532.74 KB ]