Affiliations: INSERM U887, Motricité-Plasticité Laboratory,
University of Burgundy, France | La Poste, Postal Distribution Centre, Dijon Arquebuse,
France | La Poste, Head Office, Research Mission, France
Note: [] Address for correspondence: R. Lepers, INSERM U877,
Université de Bourgogne, BP 27877, 21078 Dijon cedex, France. Tel.: +33 3
80 39 67 60; Fax: +33 3 80 39 67 02; E-mail: romuald.lepers@u-bourgogne.fr
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to characterize the
physiological demands of postmen during a work day composed of mail sorting
(inside work, IW) and cycling distribution (outside work, OW). Two groups of
postal workers were constituted according to the geographical profile of their
distribution courses: flat profile (FP; n = 7) vs hilly
profile (HP; n = 7). Heart rate (HR) was recorded and energy
expenditure (EE) was estimated during both IW and OW. EE was, on average, 1795
± 497 Kcal per workday. HR was higher
(p < 0.001) during OW (104 ± 14 bpm)
than during IW (80 ± 7 bpm). HR was highest during the
cycling part (109 ± 13 bpm). Average HR was greater
(p < 0.001) for HP (112 ± 9 bpm) than
for FP route (95 ± 8 bpm). On average, the workload of
postmen could be considered as moderate. Nevertheless, the physiological demand
greatly increased during the cycling part of OW, especially with hilly
geographical profile. The greater physiological strains during the cycling
should be factored into the improvement of work organization and delivery
materials (e.g. bicycle) for postal workers.
Keywords: Work, postmen, heart rate, energy expenditure, cycling
