Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Do Hospital employees get enough exercise at work? The
calorie expenditure of hospital staff during an eight hour
working day.
Ms. Valerie Collender
MSc Cardiac Rehabilitation, PGDip ICU/CCU Nursing, RGN.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator,
South Infirmary/ Victoria University Hospital,
Old Blackrock Rd,
Cork,
Tel; 021 4926434
Fax; 021 4926306
collender.valerie@sivuh.ie
Introduction. The American College of Sports Medicine
recommends that every adult accumulate a minimum of thirty
minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, or
preferably all days of the week in order to prevent ill health (Pate et
al, 1995). This is equivalent to enough moderate intensity physical
activity to expend 200 calories (kcal) per day. Importantly, while
they recommend moderate intensity, they acknowledge that
additional benefits arise from physical activity which is of higher
intensity and of longer duration.
In summary, moderate or higher intensity activity that results in a
minimum of 200kcal’s/day is recommended for all.
Aim. The aim of the study was to objectively measure work related
physical activity amongst diverse groups of health care workers in
an Irish Hospital setting, in order to compare it to minimal activity
recommendations.
Materials. Physical Activity was measured using a Triaxial RT3 TM
Accelerometer (Stayhealthy, Inc. Monrovia, CA). This pager like
electrical device worn on the waist band (see figure 1.0), senses
movement and determines the calories per minutes expended by
the wearer in physical activity.
Figure 1.0 1.5 volt battery, and RT3 TM accelerometer
Procedure. Between August and October 2005 occupational sub
groups were targeted. They were invited or volunteered to take
part using a quota population sampling method. Those agreeable
were met individually and their stated height, weight, age and sex
pre programmed into the accelerometer. Subjects then wore the
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