Comparison of swimming versus running maximal aerobic capacity in helicopter rescue paramedics

Abstract

Swimming is a critical task for helicopter rescue paramedics and aerobic capacity is assessed in this occupation to determine job suitability. We evaluated one treadmill-based and one pool-based assessment of maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O_2peak) in 14 helicopter rescue paramedics. There was a small absolute difference (p = 0.11, d = 0.46) between V̇O_2peak in the swim (45.5 ± 7.8 ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹) compared to the run (48.5 ± 5.5 ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹), with a moderate relationship noted (r = 0.74, 95% CI [0.35–, 0.91], p = 0.0023). Whilst not interchangeable, run V̇O_2peak was a predictor of swim V̇O_2peak. Maximal blood lactate was similar (p = 0.93) in swim (13.4 ± 3.8 mmol.L⁻¹) and run (12.2 ± 3.0 mmol.L⁻¹), and maximal heart rate 13% lower (p < 0.0001) in the swim (162 ± 11 bpm) versus the run (186 ± 10 bpm). To estimate swimming V̇O_2peak in paramedics a treadmill test is sufficient but does not replace assessment of swimming proficiency.

Practitioner Summary: We developed a swim protocol to assess maximal aerobic capacity in helicopter rescue paramedics. Compared to a treadmill-based test, our swim protocol generated 20% lower submaximal V̇O₂ and 6% lower V̇O_2peak. Although not interchangeable, a treadmill V̇O_2peak test is indicative of maximal aerobic capacity in rescue paramedics whilst swimming.

Abbreviations: HEMS: helicopter emergency medical service; PES: physical employment standards; ICFP: intensive care flight paramedic; RPE: rating of perceived exertion

Keywords:

• Human performance
• aerobic capacity
• exercise performance
• emergency medical services

Acknowledgements

We thank the ICFPs of Ambulance Victoria, for without their expertise and cooperation, this study would have not been possible. We thank the management team at Ambulance Victoria and the Ambulance Victoria Centre for Research and Evaluation for the strong support of this project. We thank the numerous Ambulance Victoria paramedics and Monash University students who volunteered their time as research assistants to aid data collection. We acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Kristal Hammond, Lead Physiologist (Swimming), Victorian Institute of Sport in developing the swimming protocol.

Disclosure statement

BM is an operational ICFP with Ambulance Victoria. Ambulance Victoria had no influence on study design, protocol development or reporting of results. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Ben Meadley and Ella Horton: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Investigation, Validation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing- Original draft preparation, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition. David B. Pyne: Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing. Luke Perraton: Methodology, Investigation, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Supervision. Karen Smith: Resources, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Supervision, Funding acquisition. Kelly-Ann Bowles: Investigation, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Supervision. Joanne Caldwell-Odgers: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Investigation, Validation, Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Supervision, Project Administration.

Data availability statement

Deidentified data is available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author (BM).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by research grants from the Ambulance Victoria/Helimed 1 Ambulance Auxiliary and the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Ambulance Victoria provided in-kind support with access to medical consumables and reimbursement of accommodation costs to support the research team. Ambulance Victoria provided technical support through the provision of heart rate monitoring devices and capillary blood lactate monitors and associated consumables. None of the funders had influence on study design, protocol development or reporting of results.