Effects of Physical Activity Training on Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Paramedic Students

Büşra SOLMAZ AYDIN

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Physical Fitness; Healthy Lifestyle; Health Promotion; Quality of Life

Treatments: Behavioral: Physical Activity Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07490821

04-2025/59

Details and patient eligibility

About

Brief Title: Effects of an 8-week physical activity program in paramedic students (RCT) Official Title: EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRAINING ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PARAMEDIC STUDENTS

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of regular physical activity training on physical fitness and quality of life in paramedic students. The study plans an eight-week physical activity program for paramedic students studying healthcare. The program will consist of exercises designed to improve physical endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical performance.

Main Hypothesis (H₁):

Regular physical activity training will significantly improve the physical fitness level and quality of life of paramedic students.

H₁a: Regular physical activity training increases the cardiovascular endurance of paramedic students.

H₁b: Regular physical activity training significantly improves students' muscle strength and flexibility.

H₁c: Students' body mass index (BMI) values are positively affected after regular physical activity training.

H₁d: Students who participated in the physical activity program had significantly higher quality of life scores (SF-36 subscales) than the control group.

This randomized controlled trial will test the effectiveness of an 8-week, 3-day-per-week physical activity program to assess physical fitness and quality of life in paramedic students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (exercise program) or a standard-of-care/waiting control group. Primary outcomes include physical endurance (short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) and the SF-36 total score. Measurements will be taken at pre-intervention, after 8 weeks, and at 3-month follow-up.

Study Type: Interventional. Allocation: Randomized. Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment. Masking: None

Primary Outcome Measures:

Change in physical endurance (distance, meters) with physical activity exercises - from baseline to week 8.

Change in health-related quality of life by SF-36 total score - from baseline to week 8.

Time Frame: Baseline, week 8, 3-month follow-up.

The study suggests that regular physical activity-based training programs can improve both the professional resilience and quality of life of paramedic students. These findings are expected to contribute to the inclusion of physical activity-based modules in health education programs and positively impact the professional productivity of future paramedics.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Katılım Kriterleri:

• Age 18-30 years
• Enrolled as a paramedic student in the participating institution
• Able and willing to participate in an 8-week physical activity program
• Provides written informed consent
• Able to attend scheduled assessment sessions (baseline, post-intervention, optional follow-up)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal conditions contraindicating exercise
• Pregnancy
• Participation in another structured exercise program within the last 6 months
• Any medical condition that would interfere with participation or pose risk during exercise, as determined by a physician
• Inability to comply with the study schedule or procedures

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Arm 1: Physical Activity Training (Intervention Group)

Experimental group

Description:

Arm 1: Physical Activity Training (Intervention Group) Intervention Type: Behavioral Intervention Description: Participants in the intervention group will complete an 8-week structured physical activity program. The program consists of three sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes: 30 minutes cardiovascular exercise (walking, jogging, or interval training at moderate intensity) 20 minutes strength training (bodyweight exercises and resistance band exercises targeting major muscle groups) 10 minutes flexibility and cool-down exercises All sessions will be supervised by a trained exercise instructor. Participants will be encouraged to maintain adherence logs and report any adverse events. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will measure physical fitness parameters (Cooper test, 1-minute push-up and sit-up tests, flexibility) and health-related quality of life (SF-36).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Physical Activity Training

Arm 2: Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Arm 2: Control Group (No Intervention) Intervention Type: No Intervention Intervention Description: Participants in the control group will continue their usual daily routine without participating in the structured physical activity program. They will be asked to avoid initiating any new exercise programs during the 8-week study period. Pre- and post-study assessments will be conducted using the same physical fitness and quality of life measures as the intervention group.