NCT05287594

Feasibility of a Train-the-Trainer Delivered Exercise Intervention in Firefighters

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 55 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Purpose: To collect and report feasibility data for conducting a future cluster randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a TRAINER delivered integrated exercise program in career firefighters, and to determine intervention fidelity and preliminary effects of a TRAINER delivered integrated exercise program in career firefighters. Participants: 52 career firefighters 18 - 60 years old (40 trainees, 6 trainers, 6 administrators). Procedures (methods): Enrolled fire stations will be randomly assigned (3:2 allocation ratio) to a TRAINER or wait-list control (CON) group, stratified by city, using computer-generated random numbers. All enrolled firefighters will undergo a series of assessments at baseline (week 0) and post-testing (week 7) following the TRAINER delivered 6-week intervention.

Conditions

• Firefighter
• High Intensity Interval Training

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Integrated Exercise Program	Neuromuscular warm-up: Each participant will perform a series of dynamic stretches, core stability, balance, and medicine ball exercises. The dynamic stretches include 8 repetitions of 6 stretches targeting the hip and thigh musculature, followed by 3 core stability isometric exercises (curl-up, side bridge, and bird dog). Participants will then perform 2 sets (per leg) of hop-to-stabilization (with a reach) balance exercises, followed by 3 separate medicine ball exercises emphasizing explosive full-body movements. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT will include a series of high intensity exercise bouts on a stationary bike that includes a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio. Training intensity will be determined from the peak power output obtained during the baseline VO2 peak assessment and progressively increased by the number of bouts and intensity. The number of work bouts will increase from 5 to 8 bouts and the intensity will increase from 90 to 110% of peak power output.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-01
• Primary completion: 2025-09-26
• Completion: 2025-09-29
• First posted: 2022-03-18
• Last updated: 2025-12-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States