Correlation Between Palpated Pulse Rates Taken by Non-medically Trained Military Reservist and Medically Trained Military Reservist

Baum, Stephen H., Correlation Between Palpated Pulse Rates Taken by Non-medically Trained Military Reservist and Medically Trained Military Reservist. Masters in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), May 2004, 41 pp., 9 tables, 4 figures, reference list, 32 titles. The Air National Guard (ANG) is interested in assessing a new fitness testing procedure using the modified Harvard Step Test and "non-medically" trained military reservist to assess peer heart rate/pulse measures before and after participation in the step test. Additionally, the use of "non-medically" trained individuals to provide biometric testing procedures has implications for public health and health promotion practitioners. The purpose of this study was to determine if a statistically significant difference was present between pulse rates taken by "non-medically" and "medically" trained military reservist. The results of this study indicate that no statistically significant difference exists between pulse rates when measured concomitantly by "non-medically" trained or "medically" trained individuals.