Mr Ben Meadley1,2,3, Dr Kelly-Ann Bowles1,3, Professor Karen Smith1,2,3, Associate Professor Maxine Bonham1,4
1Monash University Paramedic Health & Wellbeing Research Unit, Clayton, Australia, 2Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Australia, 3Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Frankston, Australia, 4Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Introduction
A number of studies have demonstrated poor health in emergency services personnel. Strategies have been employed to improve mental health, however there are few studies describing cardiometabolic and physiological health in this group. We sought to monitor the cardiometabolic and physiological health of Intensive Care Flight Paramedics (ICFP) working in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) over a 12-month period. We concurrently studied a group of Graduate Paramedics (GP) as a comparator.
Methods
All participants underwent comprehensive assessments of cardiovascular fitness (VO2max), body composition and biomarkers of cardiometabolic health at the 0 and 12-month marks. Participants were also required to wear an activity monitor continuously for the 12-month study period.
Results
10 ICFP and 19 GP were recruited. At baseline, the groups were similar with regard to body composition and cardiometabolic health. There was no difference in body mass (p>0.05), body mass index (p>0.05), percent body fat (p>0.05), or waist to height ratio (p>0.05). A similar relationship was seen between systolic blood pressure (p>0.05), fasting glucose (p>0.05) and cardiovascular disease risk (p= p>0.05). Although there was a 10bpm difference in resting heart rate (p<0.05), this was not clinically significant.
However, GP maximum aerobic capacity at baseline was significantly lower than ICFP (p<0.05). A 30-day snapshot of physical activity data demonstrated GPs completed significantly less minutes per day “intense activity” as measured by the activity monitor (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Although ICFP and GP body composition and cardiometabolic health are similar at baseline, initial data analysis indicates that ICFP undertake more than double the amount of intense physical activity and possess greater cardiovascular fitness when compared to GP, despite a significantly longer exposure to shift work in the emergency services. The completed 12-month data analysis, conclusions and recommendations for future strategies to improve health will be presented.
Biography:
Ben Meadley is an Adjunct Lecturer and PhD candidate at Monash University in the Department of Paramedicine. His doctoral project is investigating the physiological and metabolic health of paramedics, as well as specialist paramedic task performance. With a background in exercise science and emergency health care, Ben has combined these passions to improve the health and wellbeing of paramedics as well as the clinical care they deliver. He is a founding member and researcher at the Monash University Paramedic Health and Wellbeing Research Unit, and a senior Intensive Care Flight Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria