This observational analysis reveals improved cardiovascular recovery in firefighters compared to police officers during exercise testing, indicating the need for targeted training programs.
Background: Firefighters and police officers face high-stress situations requiring intense physical exertion, posing cardiovascular challenges. This study evaluated cardiovascular recovery in these professionals under simulated emergency and maximal exertion conditions. Methods: Thirty-five firefighters and sixteen police officers completed a simulated high-intensity task and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Heart rate variables (resting, maximal, and 1-minute recovery) were measured and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Maximal HR was significantly higher during CPET than SHITC (p < 0.01). Firefighters showed more efficient HR recovery than police officers (p = 0.01), suggesting better cardiovascular conditioning. The interaction effect between exercise conditions and the professional group for HR recovery was significant. Conclusions: Specialized cardiovascular training enhances recovery and prepares elite responders for physical demands. This study highlights the need for tailored programs to reduce cardiovascular risks and optimize readiness.
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Santos et al. (2025) studied this question.
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