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.

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

Plan Description: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) from this study will be made available to other researchers upon reasonable request after publication of primary results. Data will be shared via a secure repository and will include physical fitness test scores, SF-36 questionnaire responses, and demographic information, with all personal identifiers removed. Requests can be submitted to the principal investigator at bsolmaz@kmu.edu.tr

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Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking Description:

Participants and exercise instructors will be aware of group assignment due to the nature of the intervention. However, the individual responsible for collecting and analyzing outcome data (physical fitness tests and quality of life assessments) will be blinded to the group allocation in order to minimize assessment bias.