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NCT Number: NCT07490821

Effects of Physical Activity Training on Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Paramedic Students

Brief Title: Effects of an 8-week physical activity program in paramedic students (RCT) Official Title: EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRAINING ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PARAMEDIC STUDENTS

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of regular physical activity training on physical fitness and quality of life in paramedic students. The study plans an eight-week physical activity program for paramedic students studying healthcare. The program will consist of exercises designed to improve physical endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical performance.

Main Hypothesis (H₁):

Regular physical activity training will significantly improve the physical fitness level and quality of life of paramedic students.

H₁a: Regular physical activity training increases the cardiovascular endurance of paramedic students.

H₁b: Regular physical activity training significantly improves students' muscle strength and flexibility.

H₁c: Students' body mass index (BMI) values are positively affected after regular physical activity training.

H₁d: Students who participated in the physical activity program had significantly higher quality of life scores (SF-36 subscales) than the control group.

This randomized controlled trial will test the effectiveness of an 8-week, 3-day-per-week physical activity program to assess physical fitness and quality of life in paramedic students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (exercise program) or a standard-of-care/waiting control group. Primary outcomes include physical endurance (short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) and the SF-36 total score. Measurements will be taken at pre-intervention, after 8 weeks, and at 3-month follow-up.

Study Type: Interventional. Allocation: Randomized. Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment. Masking: None

Primary Outcome Measures:

Change in physical endurance (distance, meters) with physical activity exercises - from baseline to week 8.

Change in health-related quality of life by SF-36 total score - from baseline to week 8.

Time Frame: Baseline, week 8, 3-month follow-up.

The study suggests that regular physical activity-based training programs can improve both the professional resilience and quality of life of paramedic students. These findings are expected to contribute to the inclusion of physical activity-based modules in health education programs and positively impact the professional productivity of future paramedics.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Physical Fitness Behavior Health Promotion Healthy Lifestyle Motor Activity Quality of Life

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University

Karaman, 70400, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Katılım Kriterleri:

  • Age 18-30 years
  • Enrolled as a paramedic student in the participating institution
  • Able and willing to participate in an 8-week physical activity program
  • Provides written informed consent
  • Able to attend scheduled assessment sessions (baseline, post-intervention, optional follow-up)

Exclusion criteria

  • History of cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal conditions contraindicating exercise
  • Pregnancy
  • Participation in another structured exercise program within the last 6 months
  • Any medical condition that would interfere with participation or pose risk during exercise, as determined by a physician
  • Inability to comply with the study schedule or procedures

Treatment and study plan

Physical Activity Training

Behavioral

Arm 1: Physical Activity Training (Intervention Group) Intervention Type: Behavioral

Intervention Description:

Participants in the intervention group will complete an 8-week structured physical activity program. The program consists of three sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes:

30 minutes cardiovascular exercise (walking, jogging, or interval training at moderate intensity) 20 minutes strength training (bodyweight exercises and resistance band exercises targeting major muscle groups) 10 minutes flexibility and cool-down exercises All sessions will be supervised by a trained exercise instructor. Participants will be encouraged to maintain adherence logs and report any adverse events. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will measure physical fitness parameters Arm 2: Control Group Participants in the control group will continue their usual daily routine without participating in the structured physical activity program.

Primary outcomes

  1. Title: 30-Meter Sprint Time

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: The time required to complete a 30-meter maximal sprint. The best (fastest) of two trials is recorded.

    Unit of Measure: Seconds

  2. Title: Upper Body Muscular Endurance

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: The total number of correct push-ups completed within a 30-second period.

    Unit of Measure: Number of repetitions

  3. Lower Body Explosive Power

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: The distance jumped forward from a standing position, measured from the starting line to the point of contact at landing.

    Unit of Measure: Centimeters

  4. Body Fat Percentage

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: The percentage of total body fat as measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) using the TANITA TBF-300 device.

    Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: Calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2).Unit of Measure: kg/m2 (Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m².)

  2. Change in Physical Activity Level

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: Measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). This questionnaire assesses the time spent being physically active in the last 7 days.

    Unit of Measure: MET-minutes per week Full Scale Name: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Minimum Value: 0 (Theoretically) Maximum Value: No upper limit (varies according to the individual's reported activity duration).

    Interpretation: Higher scores indicate a better outcome. A higher MET-minute/week value suggests that the individual has a more active and physically healthier lifestyle.

  3. Change in Quality of Life Score

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks

    Description: Measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.

    Unit of Measure: Score on a scale Full Scale Name: Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) Minimum Value: 0 Maximum Value: 100 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate a better outcome. A score of 100 represents complete health and high quality of life, while a score of 0 represents significant health limitations and low quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Büşra SOLMAZ AYDIN

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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