Correlation between fitness parameters and an occupational rescue simulation among emergency care providers in North West Province, South Africa: A pilot study

Objective The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between validated fitness parameters and an emergency rescue simulation (RS) circuit performed by emergency care providers (ECPs). Methods A cross-sectional study was selected to determine the relationship between the fitness tests and the RS. Twenty ECPs in the North West province of South Africa participated in the study. Demographic data were collected, followed by testing of anthropometric characteristics and field fitness tests measuring muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity and flexibility. Thereafter, participants had to complete a RS circuit. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between variables. Differences in age, gender and body mass index formed part of the descriptive statistics. A test-retest reliability method was applied to evaluate the reliability of the RS. Results Significant correlations were found between the RS and the 250 m shuttle run (r=0.83; p<0.01), flexed-arm hang test (r=-0.59; p<0.01), Cooper 12-minute test (r=-0.56; p<0.01), and the maximum push-up test (r=-0.51; p<0.05). Conclusion Findings demonstrate a possible association between aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance and ECP performance in an occupational task-related RS. Improved performance in these specific fitness areas may enable ECPs to be better prepared for the physical demands of their occupation. The RS may also be used as a tool to assess job (physical) preparedness of qualified ECPs during their recruitment, but this requires further validation.