Physiological responses in female rescuers during 30 minutes sustained CPR with feedback: a comparison between medicine and physical education students.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Since fatigue seems related to poorer physical fitness rather than to gender, we analyzed the physiological responses in female medicine and physical education students during a 30 minutes sustained cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sequence.

METHODS:

Handgrip strength and maximal aerobic power (V02 max) determined strength and endurance. Twenty-three medicine (M) and 27 physical education (PE) female students performed 30 minutes CPR. Compression quality and ECG were continuously monitored, heart rate and non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) every 2 minutes. Capillary pH, PcCO2, lactate, potassium and sodium bicarbonate were analyzed every 10 minutes.

RESULTS:

Handgrip strength (PE 37 kg vs. M 35 kg; p<0.05) and V02 max (PE 50 ml/kg/min vs. M 44 ml/ kg/min; p<0.05) revealed a better strength and endurance in PE students. Six medicine and 1 PE student did not complete the entire 30 minutes of CPR. Percentage compressions >5 cm was comparable in both groups (PE 80%; M 79%; p=0.67). Mean heart rate during CPR was higher in the M group (148 bpm) compared to the PE group (132 bpm; p<0.05). No intergroup differences in NIBP, pH, PcCO2, potassium and sodium bicarbonate were observed. Mean lactate during CPR was higher in the M group: 3.5 mmol/l (SD 1.4) compared to the PE group: 2.5 mmol/I (SD 0.7) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

A high quality sustained CPR effort was well tolerated by all female rescuers. Poorer physical condition (M group) resulted in more drop out after 10 and 20 minutes and in a higher heart rate and blood lactate over time. Improving physical condition may result in less physiological strain and lower perceived exertion.

• Authors: N Mpotos, C Depuydt, L Herregods, I Deblaere, I Tallier, E Van Damme, J G Bourgots
• Journal: Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica (Acta Anaesthesiol Belg) 2016 Vol. 67 Issue 3 Pg. 113-119 ISSN: 0001-5164 [Print] Belgium
• PMID: 29873466 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Electrolytes

Topics

• Anaerobic Threshold
• Blood Gas Analysis
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Electrocardiography
• Electrolytes (blood)
• Fatigue (diagnosis, etiology)
• Female
• Hand Strength
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Physical Education and Training
• Physical Endurance
• Physical Exertion (physiology)
• Rescue Work
• Students, Health Occupations
• Students, Medical
• Young Adult