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“So, Mr Jones, how old are you?”

Firefit Conference 2008 ‘Fit for Service, Fit for the Future’ Physiology of Ageing - and possible effects on firefighters Kevin Sykes Professor of Occupational Health & Fitness Director Centre for Exercise & Nutrition Science University of Chester. “So, Mr Jones, how old are you?”. “32?”.

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“So, Mr Jones, how old are you?”

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  1. Firefit Conference 2008‘Fit for Service, Fit for the Future’Physiology of Ageing- and possible effects on firefightersKevin SykesProfessor of Occupational Health & FitnessDirectorCentre for Exercise & Nutrition ScienceUniversity of Chester

  2. “So, Mr Jones, how old are you?” “32?” If you didn’t know how old you are…….. ….how old would you think you are ?

  3. Health Many of us are health-conscious But many still take their health for granted….. … until they lose it! Prevention is better than cure

  4. Increase in Life Expectancy Females live 5yrs longer than males 1950-2005 2005 We can now expect to live 10 years longer than in the 1950s

  5. UK Life Expectancy • Females: Average 82yrs Highest 86yrs Kensington, Chelsea, E.Dorset Lowest 70yrs Glasgow • Males: Average 77yrs • Highest 81yrs Kensington, Chelsea, E.Dorset • Lowest 65yrs Glasgow • 75% of females will be alive after the age of 75 • 50% of males will be alive after the age of 75

  6. 28% Cancer 6 37% CVD

  7. 24% Cancer 36% CVD

  8. Lifespan v ‘Healthspan’ Men Women Expected Lifespan: 77yrs 82yrs Expected ‘Healthspan’: 67yrs 72yrs ADD Life to years… not years to life

  9. Lifestyle diseases

  10. 100% value sedentary

  11. Aerobic Fitness & Ageing • Decrease in cardiac function: e.g. • HR = 220-Age • Cardiac Output • Stroke Volume • Decrease in Circulatory capacity: e.g. • Increase in peripheral resistance • Less blood flow to active muscle • Decrease in muscle O2 uptake: e.g. • Reduced a-vO2 diff • Reduction in mitochondria & oxidative enzymes • Reduced Respiratory function • (FVC, FEV, RV, MaxVe-1) VO2Max decreases by 10% per decade after 25-30yrs HOWEVER…… Fit 60yr old fitter than sedentary 20-30yr olds!

  12. Aerobic Fitness, Ageing & Longevity • Low aerobic fitness is more important precursor of • all-cause mortality than any of the other risk factors

  13. Aerobic Fitness, Ageing & Longevity * Least fit x2 as likely to die prematurely from all causes * Reduced lifespan and healthspan

  14. Strength & Ageing • Max muscle strength is achieved between 25-35yrs • Strength decreases around 10% per decade after 25-30 • Primary cause ‘sarcopenia’: • 50% reduction in Motor Units 25-80yrs • Loss of muscle mass • Loss of Total muscle fibres • Reduced muscle X-section • Loss of Fast twitch fibres • Reduced CNS responses However, large individual variations – some stronger at 60 than many at 30.

  15. Strength & Ageing Resistance training can markedly improve strength in both males and females at all ages Improvements in strength of 50-70yr olds males following resistance training. Many 60yr olds were stronger than 30yr olds

  16. Ageing & Flexibility • Decrease in passive and active range of movement • Shortened muscles • Weaker ligaments, tendons, joint capsule • Increased likelihood of injury • Decrease in kinaesthetic awareness

  17. Ageing & Body Composition • Gradual gain in body weight from 20-70yrs • Decrease in muscle • Increase in fat (subcutaneous, depot, intramuscular & essential) • Decrease in bone mass (e.g. mineral density)

  18. Hazardous Waste

  19. Hazardous Waist Advancing age – spreading waistline - reduced fitness – Metabolic Syndrome • A cluster of CV risk factors • - insulin resistance • hyperinsulinaemia • impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes • raised triglycerides • raised LDLs • decreased HDLs • “Diabesity”

  20. Normal When insulin is bound to the insulin receptor of the cell, glucosecan be transported into the cell and be used.

  21. Type 2 Diabetes • Insulin receptors not functioning • Insulin cannot bind • Glucose cannot be transported into the cells Around 90% of all diabetics are Type 2

  22. Benefits of Exercise for Diabetes • Improve insulin sensitivity • Improve glycaemic control

  23. Possible Effects of Ageing on Firefighters

  24. Typical aerobic cost of fire fighting = 35mlsO2/kg/min To be working at 80-85% of maximum, aerobic capacity needs to be at least 42mlsO2/kg/min Proposed minimum aerobic fitness standard = 42mlsO2/kg/min Firefit Steering Group (2007).

  25. Fitness Rating 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Excellent 60+ 55+ 50+ 46+ 44+ Good 48-59 44-54 39-49 37-45 35-43 Average 39-47 35-43 32-38 30-36 27-34 Below Average 30-38 28-34 22-31 24-29 22-26 Poor <30 <28 <26 <24 <22 Fitness Rating 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Excellent 55+ 50+ 46+ 43+ 41+ Good 44-54 39-49 35-45 34-42 33-40 Average 36-43 32-38 29-34 27-33 26-32 Below Average 29-35 27-31 24-28 22-26 20-25 Poor <29 <27 <24 <22 <20 Norms for Aerobic Capacity (mlsO2/kg/min) Males Age Group 42 Females Age Group Sykes 1996

  26. 100%HRMax Intense physical activity is a strong triggering factor for heart attack, especially among physically inactive, older and unfit individuals. 85%HRMax

  27. Heat Stress Tolerance & Ageing • Reduced thermal tolerance • Reduced sweat production – less heat lost by evaporation • More susceptible to fatal heat injuries

  28. Ageing & Balance • Good balance important for operational firefighters - • Working on roofs, smoky places, slippery surfaces while wearing PPE & BA • Wearing PPE & BA affects functional balance in older compared to younger firefighters (BA was more a sig. factor). • Postural balance (with eyes closed) was more negatively affected among the older subjects than the younger ones. Dynamic (Functional) & Static (Postural Sway) Balance - general decrease with ageing Punakallio et al (2003)

  29. 'Healthy Working' An Integrated Workplace Health & Fitness Programme for Operational & Civilian Staff ….. OH, FBU, HR, H&S and Welfare …..

  30. Workplace Health & Fitness Programme • Systematic reduction in sickness rates & injury • Systematic improvements in BP, BW, BMI, Waist, Lipids, Fitness ROSPA Gold Award 2007

  31. Ageing and Firefighter Fitness • Aerobic Endurance • Strength • Local Muscle Endurance Flexibility • Agility & Balance • Body Composition • Metabolic Fitness - Insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, normal BP, heart-healthy blood lipid profiles & fat-burn capability

  32. Ageing & Operational Firefighting • Age is a poor predictor of job performance among operational firefighters • Physical fitness and mental abilities showed the strongest relationship with job performance • These vary greatly across individuals regardless of age • Increase in MSDs • Fit note or Sick Note ? • Gender issues ? • Importance of Physical Fitness

  33. Trainability & Age 37yrs Exercise training improves physiological responses and fitness levels at any age. Bill Pearl 59yrs

  34. Extracurricular Coronary

  35. Firefit Conference 2008‘Fit for Service, Fit for the Future’Physiology of Ageing- and possible effects on firefightersPhysical Fitness for FirefightingKevin SykesProfessor of Occupational Health & FitnessDirectorCentre for Exercise & Nutrition ScienceUniversity of Chester k.sykes@chester.ac.uk

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