scholarly journals Evaluation of an Occupational Exercise Training Program for Firefighters: Mixed Methods Pilot Study

10.2196/17835 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. e17835
Author(s):  
Miriam Leary ◽  
James Thomas ◽  
Ryan Hayes ◽  
Lori Sherlock
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Exercise Training Program ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility

Background Occupational exercise training programs can improve overall health and fitness in firefighters, but evidence beyond clinical and performance outcomes is needed before fire departments invest in and successfully adopt health promotion programs. Objective This mixed methods pilot study sought to pair clinical and performance outcomes with participants’ qualitative feedback (eg, participants’ enjoyment, lifestyle behavior changes, and team structure) with the goal of informing recommendations for future programs. Methods Professional firefighters participated in a 14-week occupational exercise training program with assessments conducted pre- and posttraining. Clinical outcomes included weight, BMI, body fat percentage, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Performance outcomes included the sharpened Romberg balance test, 1-repetition maximum leg press and bench press, graded exercise test (estimated VO2max), knee range of motion, shoulder flexibility, and hamstring flexibility. Self-administered surveys (Short Form-36, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz) were completed. In 3 private focus groups of 3 to 4 participants, firefighters' experiences in the training program and their health behaviors were explored. Results Male firefighters (n=14; age: mean 36.4, SD 2.6 years) completed 20 training sessions. There were no significant changes to weight (P=.20), BMI (P=.15), body fat percentage (P=.16), systolic blood pressure (P=.12), estimated VO2max (P=.34), balance (P=.24), knee range of motion (left: P=.35; right: P=.31), or hamstring flexibility (P=.14). There was a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (P=.04) and significant increases in shoulder flexibility (P<.001) and leg press 1-repetition maximum volume (P=.04). Participants reported improvements in overall health, endurance, flexibility, and mood as well as improvements to team environment and health behaviors around the station; however, there was a decline in overcoming barriers to physical activity. Conclusions A 14-week program of exercise training in firefighters elicited improvements in clinical, performance, and self-reported physical activity outcomes. This occupational exercise training program for firefighters increased time spent exercising, improved team building, and led to physical and mental health benefits. Results from this pilot study set a broad, informed, and meaningful foundation for future efforts to increase firefighter participation in occupational fitness programs.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an Occupational Exercise Training Program for Firefighters: Mixed Methods Pilot Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Leary ◽  
James Thomas ◽  
Ryan Hayes ◽  
Lori Sherlock
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Exercise Training Program ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility

BACKGROUND Occupational exercise training programs can improve overall health and fitness in firefighters, but evidence beyond clinical and performance outcomes is needed before fire departments invest in and successfully adopt health promotion programs. OBJECTIVE This mixed methods pilot study sought to pair clinical and performance outcomes with participants’ qualitative feedback (eg, participants’ enjoyment, lifestyle behavior changes, and team structure) with the goal of informing recommendations for future programs. METHODS Professional firefighters participated in a 14-week occupational exercise training program with assessments conducted pre- and posttraining. Clinical outcomes included weight, BMI, body fat percentage, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Performance outcomes included the sharpened Romberg balance test, 1-repetition maximum leg press and bench press, graded exercise test (estimated VO<sub>2max</sub>), knee range of motion, shoulder flexibility, and hamstring flexibility. Self-administered surveys (Short Form-36, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz) were completed. In 3 private focus groups of 3 to 4 participants, firefighters' experiences in the training program and their health behaviors were explored. RESULTS Male firefighters (n=14; age: mean 36.4, SD 2.6 years) completed 20 training sessions. There were no significant changes to weight (<i>P</i>=.20), BMI (<i>P</i>=.15), body fat percentage (<i>P</i>=.16), systolic blood pressure (<i>P</i>=.12), estimated VO<sub>2max</sub> (<i>P</i>=.34), balance (<i>P</i>=.24), knee range of motion (left: <i>P</i>=.35; right: <i>P</i>=.31), or hamstring flexibility (<i>P</i>=.14). There was a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (<i>P</i>=.04) and significant increases in shoulder flexibility (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) and leg press 1-repetition maximum volume (<i>P</i>=.04). Participants reported improvements in overall health, endurance, flexibility, and mood as well as improvements to team environment and health behaviors around the station; however, there was a decline in overcoming barriers to physical activity. CONCLUSIONS A 14-week program of exercise training in firefighters elicited improvements in clinical, performance, and self-reported physical activity outcomes. This occupational exercise training program for firefighters increased time spent exercising, improved team building, and led to physical and mental health benefits. Results from this pilot study set a broad, informed, and meaningful foundation for future efforts to increase firefighter participation in occupational fitness programs.

scholarly journals How to promote physical activity maintenance after an exercise-training program in cancer patients?

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. e55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia Reichhart ◽  
Mélissa Evesque ◽  
Marion M.C. Cavana ◽  
Pauline Muszynski ◽  
Marie-Madeleine Leclercq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Exercise Training Program ◽  
Physical Activity Maintenance

scholarly journals A Clinician Referral and 12-Week Exercise Training Program for Men With Prostate Cancer: Outcomes to 12 Months of the ENGAGE Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cadeyrn J. Gaskin ◽  
Melinda Craike ◽  
Mohammadreza Mohebbi ◽  
Kerry S. Courneya ◽  
Patricia M. Livingston
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Exercise Training Program ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Background:The ENGAGE (efficacy of a referral and physical activity program for survivors of prostate cancer) study established that a clinician referral and 12-week exercise training program increased vigorous physical activity at 12 weeks among men with prostate cancer. Here, we report the 6- and 12-month outcomes.Methods:In this multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial, we compared a clinician referral and exercise training program to usual care. Discounted gym membership was offered to men in the intervention condition on completion of the 12-week exercise program. Self-reported physical activity at 6 and 12 months was the primary outcome. Quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were secondary outcomes.Results:A total of 147 men meeting eligibility criteria agreed to participate (54 intervention, 93 control). A positive interaction effect for vigorous physical activity was observed at 6 months, but not 12 months. No significant effects for the secondary outcomes were found.Conclusions:A clinician referral and community-based supervised and unsupervised exercise training program, along with discounted gym membership, had a positive short-term effect on vigorous physical activity levels, but did not improve quality of life, in men with prostate cancer.

scholarly journals Effects of an 8-Month Exercise Training Program on Off-Exercise Physical Activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1744-1751 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIKRAM V. RANGAN ◽  
LESLIE H. WILLIS ◽  
CRIS A. SLENTZ ◽  
LORI A. BATEMAN ◽  
A. TAMLYN SHIELDS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Exercise Training Program

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXERCISE PROGRAMS ON ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE OF THE ELDERLY

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 725
Author(s):  
Ivana Petrović ◽  
Marjan Marinković
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Arterial Blood Pressure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Exercise Training Program ◽  
Different Types

The value of arterial blood pressure is variable. It depends on the time of the day, external and internal factors such as genetics and lifestyle. Moderate and regular physical activity, as well as weight reduction, can affect the reduction of high arterial blood pressure (ABP). The influence of physical activity on the health of the elderly is not well researched. The objective of this systematic review study is to collect and analyze studies of the effects of different types of exercise programs on arterial blood pressure of the elderly. Based on an analysis of electronic databases and the inclusion criteria set, 21 studies were included in the analysis. Performing only one exercise training program with the elderly leads to a fall of systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 7 to 30 mm Hg and of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from 3 to 17 mm Hg, whereas a long term training program reduces SBP for 17 and DBP for 7mm Hg. The combination of aerobic training (AT) and resistance training (RT) with the elderly gives the best results in reducing ABP, increasing arterial elasticity, thus reducing the chance of getting a cardiovascular disease.

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