Jayden R. Hunter

Objectives: This study evaluated sex differences in physical activity levels, anthropometric parameters, strength–endurance performance, and acute physiological responses to high-intensity strength–endurance exercise in emergency medical services students. Methods: Participants included 36 male and 23 female students aged 19–29 years. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and strength–endurance performance was assessed with the 3-Minute Burpee Test (3-MBT). Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion, and handgrip strength were recorded before and after the 3-MBT. Results: Men reported significantly higher PA levels than women (1963 vs. 1367 MET·min/week, p < 0.001). Women had a significantly higher percentage of body fat (31.0% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001). Men completed more 3-MBT cycles than women (44 vs. 33 cycles/3 min, p < 0.001), whereas the between-sex difference in mean heart rate was not significant after Benjamini–Hochberg correction (170.2 vs. 162.2 bpm; adjusted p = 0.075). Systolic blood pressure was higher in men before and after the test (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively) and increased significantly in both sexes (p < 0.001). Oxygen saturation and handgrip strength decreased significantly after the 3-MBT in both groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Men demonstrated greater strength–endurance performance than women, although both sexes were classified as having “poor” performance according to established 3-MBT normative values. Men reported higher physical activity, whereas women had a higher body fat percentage. These findings demonstrate sex-based differences in physical activity, body composition, and strength–endurance performance among paramedic students.

The aims of this study are the following: To examine whether field tests predict cardiorespiratory fitness in people with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to determine if heart rate (HR) agreement between the first ventilatory threshold (VT₁) and field tests is sufficient for prescribing exercise intensity. Participants randomly completed field tests and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Linear regression models were developed to predict VT₁. Agreement between predicted and measured peak oxygen consumption (V̇O_2peak) as well as field test terminal HR and HR at VT₁ (VT_1HR) was assessed using Pearson correlations, Bland–Altman analyses, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and standard error of estimate (SEE). Agreement between predicted and measured V̇O_2peak was modest (Pearson’s r = 0.27–0.77; Lin’s CCC = 0.132–0.735; MAPE = 16.1–30.1%; SEE = 4.7–6.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). Agreement between field test terminal HR and VT_1HR was moderate (Pearson’s r = 0.50–0.67; Lin’s CCC = 0.36–0.68; MAPE = 8.9–13.7%; SEE = 11.9–18.7 bpm; Bland–Altman 95%LOA = −3.5 to 13.7 bpm). Field tests demonstrated variable accuracy for predicting V̇O_2peak, with none meeting predefined agreement criteria. Regression models indicate field tests can estimate VT_1; however, levels of HR agreement indicate CPET is necessary for prescribing exercise intensity.

Public health movement and social restrictions imposed by the Australian and New Zealand governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the working environment and may have affected health behaviours, work ability, and job performance. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between health behaviours and work ability and performance during COVID-19 restrictions and if health behaviours were related to demographic or population factors. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather responses from 433 adult employees in Australia and New Zealand between June and August 2020. The survey requested demographic information and used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and the World Health Organisation’s Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Multivariate regression models were used to explore relationships between the identified variables while controlling for several possible confounders. Being sufficiently physically active was associated with higher reported physical (aOR = 2.1; p = 0.001) and mental work abilities (aOR = 1.8; p = 0.007) and self-reported job performance (i.e., lower presenteeism) (median +7.42%; p = 0.03). Part-time employees were 56% less likely (p = 0.002) to report a good or very good mental work ability. Those with existing medical conditions were 14% less likely (p = 0.008) to be sufficiently active and 80% less likely (p = 0.002) to report rather good or very good physical work ability. Being sufficiently active was associated with higher physical and mental work abilities and better job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers should support opportunities for regular physical activity and provide specific support to individuals with medical conditions or in part-time employment.

Objective: To investigate the effects of exercise supervision on short- and longer-term moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation. Methods: Fifty-six Australian university employees completed a 16-week moderate-to-high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise intervention, and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) 15 months later. Participants received either personal (SUP; n = 21) or non-personal (NPS; n = 19) exercise supervision at an onsite facility or exercised offsite with no supervision (CON; n = 16). Results: A linear mixed model identified a significant group × time interaction effect for MVPA, with increases at 15-month follow-up for CON only. Pooled data suggested more participants completed ≥500 MET-minutes of weekly MVPA at 16 weeks (66%) and 15-month follow-up (68%) compared to baseline (54%). Conclusions: A comprehensive health and fitness assessment and individually tailored exercise without personal supervision may promote ongoing MVPA.

Hunter, JR, Gordon, BA, Bird, SR, and Benson, AC. Exercise supervision is important for cardiometabolic health improvements: a 16-week randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 866–877, 2020—Exercise supervision enhances health and fitness improvements in clinical populations compared with unsupervised or home-based exercise, but effects of supervision type are unknown in healthy employees. Eighty-five Australian university employees (62 females; mean ± SD 43.2 ± 9.8 years) were randomized to personal (1:1; SUP, n = 28), nonpersonal (typical gym-based; NPS, n = 28) supervision or unsupervised control (CON, n = 29) exercise groups. Subjects received a 16-week individually tailored, moderate-to-high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program completed at an onsite exercise facility (SUP and NPS) or without access to a specific exercise facility (CON). Repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed changes to cardiometabolic outcomes. Mean ± SD increases to V̇o ₂ peak were greater (p < 0.01) with SUP (+10.4 ± 11.1%) vs. CON (+3.8 ± 8.9%) but not different to NPS (+8.6 ± 8.2%). Compared to CON (+1.7 ± 7.7%), upper-body strength increases were greater with SUP (+12.8 ± 8.4%; p < 0.001) and NPS (+8.4 ± 7.3%; p < 0.05). Lower-body strength increases were greater with SUP (+26.3 ± 12.7%) vs. NPS (+15.0 ± 14.6%; p < 0.05) and CON (+4.1 ± 12.4%; p < 0.001), and NPS vs. CON (p < 0.01). Body fat reductions were greater with SUP (−2.2 ± 2.2%) vs. NPS (−0.6 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05) and CON (−0.7 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05). Access to an onsite exercise facility with personal or nonpersonal exercise supervision was important for improving several cardiometabolic outcomes, with greater improvements to lower-body strength and body composition from personal 1:1 exercise supervision.

Background: Paramedics are among the most frequently injured health professionals in Australia. A lack of physical capacity may contribute to injury risk in this occupational population.Aims: This study sought to describe and compare the physical fitness of male and female paramedics across age groups to ascertain differences in physical capacity.Methods: A group of regional Australian paramedics (n = 140; 78 males; mean ± SD 37.4 ± 9.9 years; body mass index 28.1 ± 4.9 kg/m2) underwent a fitness assessment. Measures included upper, lower and core-body muscular strength and flexibility. Outcomes were compared between genders and across age groups using two-way between-groups analysis of variance.Results: Male paramedics had greater upper body strength (P < 0.05; push-ups) mean (95% CI): 22.6 (19.4–25.9) versus 18.7 (15.2–22.3); similar lower body strength (single-leg wall squat): 39.0 (32.6–45.3) s versus 36.7 (27.1–46.3) s; greater core strength (P < 0.05; prone plank hold): 87.9 (77.6–98.3) s versus 73.8 (63.7–83.8) s; similar upper body flexibility (back scratch): −4.0 (−6.7 to −1.3) cm versus −0.3 (−2.2 to 1.7) cm; and similar lower body flexibility (sit and reach): 20.4 (18.2–22.6) cm versus 26.1 (23.5–28.7) cm to female paramedics. Core, upper and lower body strength all decreased with age (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Core, upper and lower body strength and upper body flexibility were poorer for older compared to younger regional paramedics in New South Wales, Australia. Future research should investigate whether these outcomes are associated with occupational injury risk. This information would assist in the design of injury prevention interventions for paramedics such as tailored workplace exercise programs.