All about fit in the rescue service

Health promotion project for paramedics of the Oberwart Red Cross

Red Cross paramedics have been a central pillar of society even before the outbreak of the pandemic. As paramedics often push themselves to their limits or even beyond in the course of their voluntary work or professional activities, 14 young students from the physiotherapy degree programme at the FH Burgenland, Pinkafeld campus, have set themselves the goal of repaying the paramedics for their tireless efforts with a health project.

"All-round fit in the rescue service" project

Friederike Pirringer, President of the Burgenland Red Cross, once said: "The employees are the most valuable thing the Red Cross has".

This is precisely why 14 students on the physiotherapy degree programme at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, Pinkafeld campus, launched the "All-round fitness in the emergency services" project as part of the "Physiotherapy in health promotion and prevention" course.

From ergonomics to strength training and relaxation

The three-part project included a webinar in which the paramedics were introduced to ergonomic working in the emergency services. In this workshop, practical information and tips were passed on to those affected.

In addition, a varied training programme was developed to provide the best possible protection for the paramedics' bodies with trained muscles against the heavy strain in the rescue service. In the exercise instructions, care was taken to be able to adapt them individually depending on the level of training.

The third part of the project focussed on stress management and conscious relaxation. To this end, the students analysed the causes of stress and tips for coping with stress. The students also recorded audio files with instructions on relaxation techniques such as autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation. An invitation to take a short break and instructions on conscious breathing techniques round off the programme. The active exercises and audio files were collected on the website and can therefore be viewed and read at any time and from anywhere by paramedics and other interested parties.