Table 1 Summary of IPET concept and alterations
ACSM [29] | IPET concept [32] | IPET for WTs | Justification for alterations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Concept | Generic | Individually tailored exercise program informed by occupational demands, musculoskeletal health, and physical performance | Individually tailored exercise program informed by occupational demands, musculoskeletal health, and physical performance | - N/A |
Exercises | Compound exercises prioritized | Mix between isolation and compound exercises | Compound exercises prioritized | Compound exercises prioritized based on the physical demand profile (full body, heavy physical) and to allow more sets per muscle group [29] |
Equipment | Body weight, elastic bands, and free weights | Body weight, elastic bands, and free weights | Free weights prioritized | Alterations based on availability of equipment and participant preferences (free weights preferred over elastic bands) |
No. of set per exercise | 6–15 sets per muscle group/week | 2–4 sets per muscle group/week (varies) | 4–10 sets per muscle group/week (varies) | More sets per muscle group allowed when compound exercises are prioritized over isolation exercises |
Intensity | 12-8 RM (increasing over time) | 15-8 RM (increasing over time) | 15-5 RM (increasing over time) | Trained individuals allowed to start at a higher intensity than previously untrained. RIR used to prescribe intensity instead of RM or Borg perceived exertion [35] |
Frequency per week | 2–3 | 1 (can be split between up to five shorter sessions) | 1 on average (two on offshore rotation weeks, 0 on off-shift weeks) | 1-hour sessions preferred by target group and management |
Duration per session | ~60 min | 10–60 min | 60 min | - N/A |
Time expenditure per week | 2–3 h | 1 h | 1 h | - N/A |
Volume | Progressive overload | Steady state | Progressive overload | Increase in volume is considered important for continuous and optimal improvements in physical capacities with exercise over time [29, 36] |
Periodization | Linear periodization | Varied (linear, undulating) | Linear | Linear periodization is simple and has shown equally effective among previously untrained individuals [35] |
Outcomes | General physical health and capacity | Varied, e.g., musculoskeletal symptoms - Physical capacity - Workplace performance indicators - Relative work intensity | - Feasibility - Musculoskeletal symptoms - Physical capacity - Workplace performance indicators | Based on research aim |