Citation

Armstrong DP, Sinden KE, Sendsen J, MacPhee RS, Fischer SL. Ergonomics 2019; 62(8): 1033-1042.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2019.1618501

PMID

31092138

Abstract

The Ottawa Paramedic Physical Ability Test (OPPAT) is a physical employment standard (PES) that candidates must pass as a pre-hire requirement, and that incumbents may have to pass prior to returning to work after absence, to demonstrate their physical capabilities as required to safely meet the demands of paramedic work. Consistent with best practice guidelines for PES development, it is important to establish reliability and to investigate sex-based performance differences. Active duty paramedics completed the OPPAT twice, while candidates completed the OPPAT six times. Across all participants, a median improvement of 76.0 seconds was observed in OPPAT performance (922.0 to 846.0 seconds) between trial 1 and trial 2. Among candidates, OPPAT performance stabilized by the fourth trial confirming reliability. Sex-based analyses revealed median differences in OPPAT performance time of 39.0 and 63.0 seconds between males and females during the first and second trials respectively. Practitioner Summary: Active duty paramedics and candidates performed the Ottawa Paramedic Physical Ability Test (OPPAT) faster following familiarization. Among candidates, performance time stabilized by the fourth trial. Performance time was slower among females, but this had little impact on females' ability to meet the OPPAT standard.

Language: en

Keywords

Familiarization; Performance Standard; Reliability; Sex