Affiliations: [a] Environmental Pollution, Islamic Azad University Kermanshah Branch, Kermanshah, Iran | [b] Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Abstract: Study on maximal aerobic capacity is important to make physiological adaptation between worker and work. This study aims to investigate maximal aerobic capacity and physical work capacity of male farmers in Sistan region and determining affective factors of that on workers. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 male farmers of Sistan region were randomly selected and participated in this research. A questionnaire comprising two parts is used as data collection tool. The first part deals with demographic features and is completed by interview and in the second part of questionnaire parameters including age, height, weight, waist-hip ratio, BMI and number of heartbeats are recorded. Measurement of maximal aerobic capacity was performed using Tuxworth and Shahnavaz method. Correlation between Vo2-max and weight and height variables was accomplished using linear regression analyses and comparing the mean Vo2-max with BMI and age parameters in ternary and quaternary groups and comparing the mean Vo2-max with smoking and exercise habit and waist-hip ratio in binary groups were performed by ANOVA and t-test respectively. Maximal aerobic capacity in farmers was estimated 2/860/47± litres per minute. The results revealed that aerobic capacity has a significant relationship with age, weight, height, BMI, waist-hip ratio of workers. Statistical tests showed that there is a significant correlation between Vo2-max and smoking (P < 0/05). The mean aerobic capacity in athletes was also lower than non-athletes. Results of this study focus on the significance of demographic features. Factors as age, weight, height, BMI, waist-hip ratio, smoking are considered as effective factors on Vo2-max in workers and giving attention to them is important in preserving and conserving the health of workers.
Keywords: Maximal aerobic capacity, farmers, Tuxworth and Shahnavaz step test
