Effects of Concurrent Training on Resuscitation and Cognitive Performance in Paramedics-A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Sports Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Paramedics face demanding physical and cognitive tasks during emergency care.
• Physical fitness may enhance the quality of patient care provided by paramedics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of concurrent training (CT) on work-related performance in paramedics.
• To assess changes in resuscitation performance (RP), cognitive performance (CP), and heart rate variability (HRV) before and after exertion.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 16 paramedics assessed RP, CP, and HRV at baseline (T1) and after a 12-week CT intervention (T2).
• Assessments were conducted pre- and post-exertion (seven-floor stair climb with 20 kg gear).
• Changes in performance parameters and HRV from T1 to T2 were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Post-intervention (T2), paramedics showed significantly improved pre-exertion reaction times and divided attention, with trends toward better working memory and RP.
• Significant improvements in post-exertion working memory were observed at T2, alongside trends for reaction time, divided attention, and RP.
• No significant changes were found in the difference between pre- and post-exertion values, but HRV decreased significantly from pre- to post-exertion at both time points.

Conclusions:

• Concurrent training (CT) shows promise for enhancing both resuscitation and cognitive performance in paramedics.
• Further research is recommended to explore CT's potential to improve paramedic effectiveness and patient care quality.