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Research Paper | Physiotherapy | India | Volume 8 Issue 5, May 2019

Are We Physiotherapists Really Fit?

Payal Shetkar | Seemi Retharekar

Abstract: This cross-sectional study was done on 82 healthy Physiotherapists selected using purposive sampling, within an age group of 25 to 40 years, fulfilling the 2014PAR-Q+ with a BMI of the range 18.5 to 24.5. They were asked to perform the modified Bruce protocol on motorized treadmill. All the vital parameters namely BP, HR, RR and RPE were documented pre and post exercise testing and after every stage during the protocol along with FEV1 and PEFR, measured using a Mini-Wright digital peak flow meter. The VO2max value 28.564 was on the lower side which categorizes them in people having poor physical fitness. The HR max was 92.97 % of the predicted value which confirms that the subjects had performed till their maximal level. Although these high cardiac responses were within the normal range, this can be considered as a sign of low physical activity considering the mean time the subject could perform the test was only 14.43 mins with 9.28 METs. Thus the results show that the therapists arent optimally fit for their profession, and their perception for fitness is high thus, even though knowing the importance of being physically fit still they arent really active.

Keywords: Physiotherapists, Cardiopulmonary fitness, Modified Bruce protocol, PEFR

Edition: Volume 8 Issue 5, May 2019,

Pages: 1415 - 1418