COVID-19’s impact on physical activity and metabolic syndrome in firefighters: A randomized trial of pre- and post-recovery analysis

Monfared Abyani, Masoud; Soltani, Pooya; Sheikhani Shahin, Homa; Moghadasi, Mehrzad

Abstract

Objective: Despite the physical demands of their job, firefighters often experience declining health, a trend that has worsened with coronavirus infection. We investigated the correlation between physical activity (PA) and metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors in male firefighters following COVID-19 recovery.

Subject and Methods: Pre- and post-COVID-19 MS risk factors were analyzed in 31 male firefighters. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between PA and MS risk factors following recovery.

Results: Post-recovery PA showed a moderate negative correlation with low-density lipoprotein – LDL (r = −0.39, p = 0.04). Statistically significant reductions were observed in weight, BMI, cholesterol, and waist-hip ratio (all p < 0.05). In contrast, glucose, triglycerides, and LDL showed statistically non-significant increases.

Conclusions: Clinicians should monitor cardiovascular risks in firefighters, as subtle changes post-recovery may indicate increased heart disease risk.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 15, 2025
• Online Publication Date: May 19, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 10, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: May 20, 2026
• Journal: Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1076-2752
• Electronic ISSN: 1536-5948
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000003455
• Keywords: Male, Exercise, Occupational health, Coronavirus, Pharmaceutical Preparations