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Needham-Beck SC, Maroni TD, Walker FS, Vine CAJ, Moore D, Draper J, Alexander B, Myers SD, Blacker SD. Development of an evidence-based swimming representative military task to assess swimming competency in the British Army. Work 2024:WOR230256. [PMID: 39031420 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a requirement for British Army personnel to operate in/around water. Assessing role-related swimming/water competence will support personnel to conduct their job-roles safely and effectively. OBJECTIVE To undertake a Job-Task Analysis (JTA) of British Army personnel when working in/around water and use this information to develop a Swimming Representative Military Task (RMT) to assess swimming/water competence. METHODS Workshops, surveys, and observations were used to conduct a JTA, which identified and described job-tasks conducted by British Army personnel in/around water. Ergonomic analysis of these job-tasks identified seven water-based physical actions, which were considered fundamental for all personnel to be competent in performing. These seven actions guided design of a Swimming RMT, which was subsequently conducted twice by 103 serving personnel (89 men, 11 women) and once by 65 recruits (49 men, 16 women). RESULTS The RMT comprised of entering the water in combat fatigues and webbing, removing webbing, swimming 50 m, and staying afloat for up to 10 minutes. During RMT trials, in trial 1, 85% of serving personnel and 74% of recruits successfully completed the RMT, which increased to 93% in serving personnel for trial 2. Across trials 1 and 2, all three timed RMT elements showed moderate-high correlational reliability (ICC range: 0.462-0.791). On average, serving personnel were quicker to complete the 50 m swim phase compared to recruits (91±24 s vs. 100±26 s; U = 2575.0, rb = -0.192, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS The JTA-informed Swimming RMT provides an assessment of the minimum role-related swimming/water competence standard for British Army personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Needham-Beck
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Tessa D Maroni
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Faye S Walker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Chris A J Vine
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Daniel Moore
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | | | | | - Stephen D Myers
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Sam D Blacker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
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Meadley BN, Caldwell-Odgers J. A comparison of historical versus proposed physical employment standards for flight paramedics performing helicopter winch rescue. Work 2024:WOR230582. [PMID: 38820044 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paramedics working in helicopter teams undertake water and land rescues. Historical assessments of role-related fitness were not developed using physical employment standards methodology. OBJECTIVE To compare the historical selection tests with new tests developed via contemporary scientific methodology. METHODS Candidates undergoing selection to the role of flight paramedic (n = 14; age 37±5 yrs, body mass index [BMI] 26±4 kg.m2) undertook existing paramedic selection tests on land and in water, measurements of task duration, maximum heart rate (HRmax), rate of perceived exertion (RPE6 - 20) and capillary blood lactate (Lacmax) were recorded. These results were compared to the same variables in experienced paramedics (n = 14; age 44±5 yrs, BMI 25±3 kg.m2) who undertook the new tests. RESULTS Land task duration (existing 17±2 min vs. proposed 7±2 min, p < 0.05) HRmax (existing 186±13 b.min-1 vs. proposed 173±11 b.min-1, p < 0.05), and Lacmax (existing 23±3 mmol.L-1 vs. proposed 8±2 mmol.L-1, p < 0.05) were higher in the existing test compared to the proposed tests. Water task duration (existing 12±2 min vs. proposed 10±1 min, p < 0.05) was longer in the existing test, but HRmax (existing 166±18 b.min-1 vs. proposed 167±15 b.min-1, p = 0.90), Lacmax (existing 11±4 mmol.L-1 vs. proposed 11±4 mmol.L-1, p = 0.90) did not differ. RPE6 - 20 did not differ between groups for water or land. CONCLUSIONS The historical land-based physical tests for paramedics differed from the proposed tests, however the water-based tests had similar duration and physiological demands. Use of tests not developed via established scientific methodologies risks eliminating candidates suitable to work in the role, or including candidates that are not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin N Meadley
- Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
- Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia
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van der Valk AM, Theou O, Wallace LM, Andrew MK, Godin J. Physical demands at work and physical activity are associated with frailty in retirement. Work 2022; 73:695-705. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-210859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between occupational physical activity and frailty is complex and understudied. OBJECTIVE: We explore whether moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in retirement and main lifetime occupation physical demands (OPD) are associated with frailty in retirement. METHODS: Retired adults aged 50 + who participated in waves 3-4 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were included. We constructed a 65-item frailty index (FI; Wave 4). Linear regressions tested the independent associations between OPD (Wave 3) and retirement MVPA (Wave 4) with FI (B: 95% CI) controlling for occupation characteristics (Wave 3) and demographics (Wave 4). These models were repeated across country groups (Nordic; Mediterranean; Continental) and sexes. RESULTS: We included 8,411 adults (51.1% male) aged 72.4 years (SD 8.0). Frequent MVPA was consistently associated with lower FI (-0.09 : 0.10–-0.08, p < .001) while OPD was associated with higher FI (0.02 : 0.01-0.03, p < .001). The MVPA*OPD interaction (-0.02: -0.04–-0.00, p = .043) was weakly associated with FI, but did not explain additional model variance or was significant among any country group or sex. CONCLUSIONS: For a sample of European community-dwelling retirees, a physically demanding main lifetime occupation independently predicts worse frailty, even in individuals who are physically active in retirement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Theou
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Lindsay M.K. Wallace
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Melissa K. Andrew
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Judith Godin
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Proud JK, Lai DTH, Mudie KL, Carstairs GL, Billing DC, Garofolini A, Begg RK. Exoskeleton Application to Military Manual Handling Tasks. HUMAN FACTORS 2022; 64:527-554. [PMID: 33203237 DOI: 10.1177/0018720820957467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to determine how exoskeletons could assist Australian Defence Force personnel with manual handling tasks. BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal injuries due to manual handling are physically damaging to personnel and financially costly to the Australian Defence Force. Exoskeletons may minimize injury risk by supporting, augmenting, and/or amplifying the user's physical abilities. Exoskeletons are therefore of interest in determining how they could support the unique needs of military manual handling personnel. METHOD Industrial and military exoskeleton studies from 1990 to 2019 were identified in the literature. This included 67 unique exoskeletons, for which Information about their current state of development was tabulated. RESULTS Exoskeleton support of manual handling tasks is largely through squat/deadlift (lower limb) systems (64%), with the proposed use case for these being load carrying (42%) and 78% of exoskeletons being active. Human-exoskeleton analysis was the most prevalent form of evaluation (68%) with reported reductions in back muscle activation of 15%-54%. CONCLUSION The high frequency of citations of exoskeletons targeting load carrying reflects the need for devices that can support manual handling workers. Exoskeleton evaluation procedures varied across studies making comparisons difficult. The unique considerations for military applications, such as heavy external loads and load asymmetry, suggest that a significant adaptation to current technology or customized military-specific devices would be required for the introduction of exoskeletons into a military setting. APPLICATION Exoskeletons in the literature and their potential to be adapted for application to military manual handling tasks are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kurt L Mudie
- 2222 Defence Science and Technology (DST), Melbourne, Australia
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Siddall AG, Rayson MP, Walker EF, Doherty J, Osofa JI, Flood TR, Hale B, Myers SD, Blacker SD. Development of physical employment standards of specialist paramedic roles in the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (Naru). APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 95:103460. [PMID: 33991853 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM To develop evidence-based role-specific physical employment standards and tests for National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) specialist paramedics. METHODS Sixty-two (53 men, 9 women) paramedics performed an array of (1) realistic reconstructions of critical job-tasks (criterion job performance); (2) simplified, easily-replicable simulations of those reconstructions and; (3) fitness tests that are portable and/or practicable to administer with limited resources or specialist equipment. Pearson's correlations and ordinary least products regression were used to assess relationships between tasks and tests. Performance on reconstructions, subject-matter expert and participant ratings were combined to derive minimum acceptable job performance levels, which were used to determine cut-scores on appropriate correlated simulations and tests. RESULTS The majority of performance times were highly correlated with their respective simulations (range of r: 0.73-0.90), with the exception of those replicating water rescue (r range: 0.28-0.47). Regression compatibility intervals provided three cut-scores for each job-task on an appropriate simulation and fitness test. CONCLUSION This study provides a varied and easily-implementable physical capability assessment for NARU personnel, empirically linked to job performance, with flexible options depending on organisational requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Siddall
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK.
| | | | - Ella F Walker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Julianne Doherty
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Josh I Osofa
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Tessa R Flood
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Beverley Hale
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Steve D Myers
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Sam D Blacker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
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Implementation of Physical Employment Standards for Physically Demanding Occupations. J Occup Environ Med 2020; 62:647-653. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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