Reference Values for Body Composition, Graded Exercise Testing, Hemodynamics, and Pulmonary Function in Male and Female Firefighters.

Objective: This analysis establishes reference values for health and performance indicators in a large sample of US firefighters.

Methods: Data from 3867 firefighters (3651 males and 216 females) were analyzed to establish percentiles for anthropometrics, body composition, graded exercise, hemodynamics, and pulmonary function.

Results: The median characteristics of all male firefighters included: age, 38 years; body mass index, 29.2 kg/m 2 ; body fat percentage, 24%; and VO 2 max 32 mL/kg/min. The median characteristics of all female firefighters included: age, 33 years; body mass index, 25.7 kg/m 2 ; body fat percentage, 29%; and VO 2 max, 31 mL/kg/min. Reference values stratified by decade of age were also established.

Conclusions: The presented values can be used to contextualize the performance of individual firefighters and fire departments and to promote evidence-based discussions regarding physical evaluations and standards for occupational readiness.