More Than Half of the Firefighters Also Suffered From Back Pain.

More than half of Estonian and Latvian rescue workers are overweight and sleep-deprived, according to a new study that examined the health of over 1,000 professional firefighters in both countries. Researchers from Tallinn University of Technology and Riga Technical University analyzed health data, physical activity, and psychosocial working conditions. The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, show that nearly 55 percent of firefighters in both countries were either overweight or obese.

While most male firefighters reported sleeping between six and nine hours before a shift, barely one in ten said they consistently felt well-rested. More than half of the firefighters also suffered from back pain. The study revealed differences between the two countries.

Latvian rescue workers were more likely to experience bouts of anger and panic attacks, while their Estonian colleagues reported more difficulty concentrating and digestive problems. The researchers attribute the issues to an imbalance between high job demands and inadequate recovery opportunities. Firefighters face extreme physical exertion, irregular shifts, and exposure to traumatic events.

The situation is compounded by financial pressures: more than 55 percent of rescue workers in Latvia and 40 percent in Estonia hold a second job to make ends meet, significantly reducing time for exercise and recovery. In Latvia, only slightly more than half of respondents found time to exercise, compared with just over 63 percent in Estonia. The researchers argue that the solution lies in organizational change rather than individual advice, calling for physical training and dedicated rest periods to be built into work shifts.