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/m² , 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.