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

NCT ID: NCT05287594

Last Updated: 2025-12-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 55 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-04-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-29

Brief 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

Keywords

Firefighter; Train-the-Trainer; High intensity interval training; Neuromuscular warm-up; Fire and Rescue Personnel

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

TRAINER

The TRAINER group will receive an integrated exercise program, led by a peer-trainer, including a neuromuscular warm-up and high intensity interval training at their respective fire stations 2 times per week for 6 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Integrated Exercise Program

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Waitlist Control

The waitlist control group will not receive training during the course of the study, but will be offered the opportunity to receive the integrated exercise program after the study ends.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Neuromuscular warm-up; High intensity interval training; HIIT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Provide informed consent prior to any study procedures are performed
• Medically cleared for fire suppression duties
• A career firefighter from a local department (Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham)

Exclusion Criteria

• Highly active firefighters, defined as performing 4 or more days/week of vigorous exercise
• Pregnancy
• Recent injury preventing their participation in the exercise routine
• Involved in an active workers' compensation or personal injury case

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC)

FED

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Eric Ryan, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

UNC Chapel Hill

Locations

UNC Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Countries

United States

Provided Documents

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

21-2522

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id