Chapter 1 – Introduction to Fitness for Paramedics

PARA Fitness Test Standards

Fitness Test Weight

The weight of each test (i.e., how much each test counts towards your final grade) will vary based on your current semester/course code in the Paramedic program. The table below indicates the weight of each test for each Paramedic Fitness course. Note – for Semester 3 PAR 1301, all three Fitness Tests must be successfully completed to pass the course, regardless of the attributed weight.

Table 1.1 – Weighted Grade Per Test and Course
Test / Semester Semester 1 – FIT 1101 Semester 2 – FIT 1201 Semester 3 – PAR 1301
PET 10 % 10% 10.5%
Shuttle Run 10% 10% 10.5%
Stair Chair / Stretcher Carry 40% 40% 31%

Fitness Test Performance Goals

The Paramedic Fitness courses are designed to build upon one another, beginning with the lowest performance goals in Semester 1 and the highest performance goals (equivalent to the City of Greater Sudbury’s Emergency Services fitness standards) in Semester 3. This allows students to gradually develop their fitness throughout their time in the program so they may succeed during preceptorship and upon graduation. With this in mind, the Time and Stage standards (and attributable grades) become harder for the PET Test and Shuttle Run, respectively, while the weight of the manikin increases significantly for the Stairchair and Stretcher Carry. You will find a detailed breakdown of the Performance Goals for the PET and Shuttle Run in the tables below:

PET Standards and Grades

Table 1.2 – PET Standards and Grades – Males
MALES 1101 Grade 1201 Grade 1301 Grade
=< 2:35 100 100 100
2:36 – 2:40 95 95 95
2:41 – 2:45 92 92 92
2:46 – 2:49 90 90 90
2:50 – 2:54 88 88 88
2:55 – 2:59 85 85 85
3:00 – 3:04 82 82 82
3:05 – 3:09 80 80 80
3:10 – 3:14 78 78 78
3:15 – 3:19 75 75 75
3:20 – 3:25 72 72 72
3:26 – 3:30 70 70 70
3:31 – 3:45 60 0 0
=>3:46 0 0 0

 

Table 1.3 – PET Standards and Grades – Females
FEMALES 1101 Grade 1201 Grade 1301 Grade
=< 2:50 100 100 100
2:50 – 2:54 95 95 95
2:55 – 2:59 92 92 92
3:00 – 3:04 90 90 90
3:05 – 3:09 85 85 85
3:10 – 3:14 82 82 82
3:15 – 3:19 80 80 80
3:20 – 3:25 75 75 75
3:26 – 3:30 70 70 70
3:31 – 3:45 60 0 0
=>3:46 0 0 0

Shuttle Standards and Grades

Table 1.4 – Shuttle Standards and Grades – Males
MALES 1101 Grade 1201 Grade 1301 Grade
10 100 100 100
9.5 95 95 95
9 90 90 90
8.5 85 85 85
8 80 80 80
7.5 78 78 78
7 75 75 75
6.5 70 70 70
6 65 65 0
5.5 62.5 0 0
5 60 0 0
<5 0 0 0

 

Table 1.5 – Shuttle Standards and Grades – Females
FEMALES 1101 Grade 1201 Grade 1301 Grade
8 100 100 100
7.5 90 90 90
7 80 80 80
6.5 70 70 70
6 65 65 0
5.5 62.5 0 0
5 60 0 0
<5 0 0

Stair Chair and Stretcher Carry

Stairchair and Stretcher Carry Manikin Weight Increments

The manikin weight will increase per semester/fitness course as follows:

  • Semester 1 – FIT 1101: 70kg (154 lbs)
  • Semester 2 – FIT 1201: 80kg (176 lbs)
  • Semester 3 – PAR 1301: 90kg (209 lbs)

Beyond the need to avoid Unsafe Critical Errors, which would lead to test termination during the Stairchair and Stretcher Carry, performance will be assessed using the marking rubric below. As made evident by the rubric, marks are emphasized for proper technique and patient safety.

Table 1.6 – Stairchair and Stretcher Carry Standards and Grades – both Males and Females
Unsafe 0% Marginal 70% Competent 80% Highly Competent 90% Exceptional 100%
  • Gross un-professionalism
  • >2 set-downs
  • Harm to patient
  • Delay >6 min for either lift
  • Spotter assistance to prevent fall/injury
  • Performance compromises safety or self, partner, or patient. Serious remediation required, unsuitable for progression
  • 2 controlled set-downs
  • Ongoing rough pt handling
  • Poor equipment knowledge
  • U/p to partner/pt
  • Postural concerns/back exposed
  • Feet together – loud step kick
  • Body angled
  • Poor teamwork
  • Minimum standard, improvement recommended: suitable for supervised practice w/ some remediation
  • 1 controlled set down
  • Rough pt handling
  • Limited comm. w/partner/pt.
  • Proper posture majority of time
  • Feet proper width majority
  • Body squared  – mild kick
  • Understands equipment basics
  • Teamwork is present
  • Often to standard, ready for independent practice/ profession with only minor concerns
  • Safe pt. handling
  • Adequate partner/pt comm.
  • Proper posture throughout
  • Feet apart
  • Full knowledge of equipment
  • Ongoing effective teamwork
  • Entire lift safe, controlled, and pt comfort ensured
  • Occasionally exceeds standard, little improvement needed.
  • Ongoing comm/thought for partner/pt.
  • Thorough knowledge and use of equipment
  • Teamwork is paramount
  • Lift is smooth, controlled, and efficient
  • Arms at 90 / strong posture entire lift
  • Consistently exceeds standards, positive example for others

 

Chapter attribution to Fitness for Paramedics, 1st ed. by Martin Dubuc. Standard and Grade Charts can be found in their original image form at Fitness for Paramedics, 1st ed.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Fitness for Paramedics: A Guide for Students at Cambrian College, 2nd Edition Copyright © 2024 by Lynn Kabaroff and Martin Dubuc is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book