Effects of Occupational Stress and Health Behaviors on Heart Rate Variability in Live-Fire Instructors

J Occup Environ Med. 2022 Jun 1;64(6):e374-e377. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002541.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the association between the healthrelated characteristics and the subscales of occupational stress of live fire instructors and heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: We conducted questionnaire survey on a general health checkup for 15 live fire instructors. Occupational stress and HRV parameters were measured to determine the association between health behavior, including smoking, drinking, exercise, and sleep-related disorders, and occupational stress of live fire instructors and HRV parameters using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results: Smoking, insomnia, and job insecurity, a subscale of occupational stress measurement, showed negative Spearman rank correlations with HRV.

Conclusions: Insomnia, smoking, and job insecurity (due to occupational stress) among live fire instructors were associated with decreased HRV.

MeSH terms

  • Health Behavior
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Occupational Stress* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders*