title: Relationship between weight of rescuer and quality of chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the rotation time for chest compression should be about 2 min. The quality of chest compressions is related to the physical fitness of the rescuer, but this was not considered when determining rotation time. The present study aimed to clarify associations between body weight and the quality of chest compression and physical fatigue during CPR performed by 18 registered nurses (10 male and 8 female) assigned to light and heavy groups according to the average weight for each sex in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five-minute chest compressions were then performed on a manikin that was placed on the floor. Measurement parameters were compression depth, heart rate, oxygen uptake, integrated electromyography signals, and rating of perceived exertion. Compression depth was evaluated according to the ratio (%) of adequate compressions (at least 5 cm deep).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ratio of adequate compressions decreased significantly over time in the light group. Values for heart rate, oxygen uptake, muscle activity defined as integrated electromyography signals, and rating of perceived exertion were significantly higher for the light group than for the heavy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chest compression caused increased fatigue among the light group, which consequently resulted in a gradual fall in the quality of chest compression. These results suggested that individuals with a lower body weight should rotate at 1-min intervals to maintain high quality CPR and thus improve the survival rates and neurological outcomes of victims of cardiac arrest.
authors: Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan. tomoyuki.hasegawa@mcn.ac.jp.
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Hasegawa
authors: Rie
authors: R
authors: Daikoku
authors: Shin
authors: S
authors: Saito
authors: Yayoi
authors: Y
authors: Saito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors