Exercise & Diet Effects on CV Risk in Firefighters

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study will explore the capacity for a lifestyle modification in firefighters to improve blood pressure, blood vessel stiffness, inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress. The study will be a pre- post-testing controlled trial with three groups. The intervention will be a weekly circuit workout program and a Mediterranean (high fruit/vegetable) diet. The groups will be firefighters with >10yrs experience, firefighters with <10yrs experience, and control Non-firefighters.

Detailed Description
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Recent statistics from the American Heart Association (AHA) have reported that >92% of adults in the U.S. meet at least 1 metric for cardiovascular disease risk factors. In firefighters, this increased risk is especially concerning. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) estimates there are around 1.3 million firefighters in the United States, 70% of which are volunteer. The prevalence of impaired cardiovascular health is higher in firefighters than in the general population and the leading line-of-duty death (LODD) cause is cardiac related. It is known that exercise and diet mitigate cardiovascular disease risk. Meeting the physical activity guidelines remains a target of ideal cardiovascular health and a major public health concern. However, the NFPA does not require volunteer fire companies to have a fitness program for their crew, and sadly less than a third of the stations actually do. And importantly, cardiovascular-related LODD remains a major issue in the firefighter population. The results could guide clinical treatment for firefighters and may therefore reduce cardiac-related LODD.

Official Title
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Effects of Combined Diet & Exercise Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Firefighters & Civilians

Conditions
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Exercise, Cardiovascular Risk Factor, Blood Pressure, Diet Modification, Health Promotion

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult Able to Exercise Exclusion Criteria: More than one anti-hypertensive medication More than one cholesterol medication Diabetic Prior Cardiac incident

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Firefighter (Veteran) Group<br>Firefighters with >10yrs experience. Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet | Behavioral: Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet<br>* Participants will receive circuit training program and a modified Mediterranean diet program. Educational sessions, serving size training, and portion containers will be provided. Participants will also receive individualized support throughout the 6 week intervention.<br>|
| Experimental: Firefighter (Novice) Group<br>Firefighters with <10yrs experience. Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet | Behavioral: Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet<br>* Participants will receive circuit training program and a modified Mediterranean diet program. Educational sessions, serving size training, and portion containers will be provided. Participants will also receive individualized support throughout the 6 week intervention.<br>|
| Experimental: Control Non-Firefighter Group<br>Non-Firefighter adults. Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet | Behavioral: Circuit Training exercise & Modified Mediterranean diet<br>* Participants will receive circuit training program and a modified Mediterranean diet program. Educational sessions, serving size training, and portion containers will be provided. Participants will also receive individualized support throughout the 6 week intervention.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in blood pressure | Blood pressure surge response to alarm will be measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitor | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in vascular stiffness | Stiffness will be measured by pulse wave velocity | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 
| Change in cardiopulmonary fitness | Fitness will be measured by treadmill test | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 
| Change in body composition | Body composition will be measured by bioelectrical impedance | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 
| Change in inflammation | Inflammation will be measured by assay of circulating bio-markers through blood draw. | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 
| Change in oxidative stress | Oxidative stress will be measured by assay of circulating antioxidant bio-markers through blood draw. | Pre-Intervention (Week 0), Post-Intervention (Week 6) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cardiovascular Disease, Mediterranean Diet, Exercise Training, Blood Pressure