Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in Portuguese volunteer firefighters

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in Portuguese volunteer firefighters, possible causes and activities behind their origin, the implications and preventive strategies reported by these professionals and find eventual associations between the symptoms and the type of duty. The results indicate a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, caused by physical exertion and mainly during fireground activities. Firefighters with musculoskeletal symptoms tend to reduce the techniques that aggravate or provoke the symptoms and to improve their physical condition as preventive strategy. Fireground and rescue activities were linked to higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms.