Meeting the Canadian strength training recommendations: Implications for the cardiometabolic, psychological and musculoskeletal health of nurses

Aim To examine the proportion of nurses meeting the strength training recommendation and its associated cardiometabolic, psychological and musculoskeletal benefits. Background Strength training targets poor physical and mental health often reported by nurses; however, it is unknown whether nurses are meeting the strength training guidelines. Methods Nurses from 14 hospitals completed a 7-day physical activity log. Nurses were considered meeting the recommendation if they reported >= 2 strength training sessions per week. Cardiometabolic, psychological and musculoskeletal health, and levels of motivation were compared between nurses meeting and not meeting the guidelines. Results Of the 307 nurses (94% female; age: 43 +/- 12 years), 29 (9.4%) met the strength training recommendation. These nurses had lower body mass index (24.1 +/- 2.6 vs. 27.3 +/- 5.5 kg/m(2), p = .007) and waist circumference (73.8 +/- 8.3 vs. 81.1 +/- 11.7 cm, p = .017); and higher vigour-activity (18.0 +/- 5.8 vs. 15.6 +/- 6.5 points, p = .046) and self-determined motivation (relative autonomic index: 54.9 +/- 20.3 vs. 45.0 +/- 23.8 points, p = .042) scores than nurses not meeting the recommendation. Conclusion While the proportion of nurses meeting the strength training recommendation was small (<10%), they had lower body mass and waist circumference, and higher vigour-activity. Implications for nursing management Strategies to increase the strength training engagement may improve the cardiometabolic health and increase vigour among nurses.

Automated summary

Only 9.4% of the 307 nurses in the study met the strength training recommendation. Nurses meeting the recommendation had lower body mass and waist circumference, as well as higher vigour and self-determined motivation scores. Despite the small proportion of nurses meeting the strength training recommendation, they showed improvements in their physical health and motivation levels.