Iran Occupational Health

  Background and aims

  In order to physiologically fit the job to the worker’s capability, maximum aerobic capacity (VO₂-max) is used. This study was conducted to estimate VO₂-max and determine its associated factors among workers of industrial sector of Shiraz city.

  Methods

  In this cross-sectional study, 500 healthy male workers employed in Shiraz city industries participated voluntarily. Subjects’ aerobic capacity was assessed by ergocycle test according to Astrand protocol for 6 minutes. A questionnaire consisted of two parts covering demographic, anthropometric and physiological characteristics was used as data collecting tool.

  Results

  Mean and standard deviation of age of workers was 32.01 and 7.66 years, respectively. Worker’s aerobic capacity was estimated to be 2.69±0.263 1.min^-1 . The results showed that there was association between VO₂-max and age, weight and BMI while no association was found between VO₂-max and height. Also, statistical analysis revealed association between VO₂-max and smoking and exercise per week (P<0.05). Nature of work , shift working, job satisfaction and fatigue had no association with aerobic capacity. Based on the results, regression equations were developed for estimation of aerobic capacity.

 Conclusion

  Aerobic capacity had association with age, weight, BMI, exercise and smoking.

Background and aims: The maximum aerobic capacity or VO2max is a measure of the maximum volume of oxygen that can be absorbed by respiratory system and delivered to the acting muscles through blood flow. The aims of this study were to determine the correlation between the two methods of treadmill and step tests in estimating the maximum aerobic capacity and it's affecting factors among students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted among the 68 students (47 males and 21 females) that participated voluntarily. First, the participants completed physical activity readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and demographic characteristics, and if they were met inclusion criteria, step and treadmill tests were done according to ASCM by treadmill and step tests according to ACSM and Gerkin protocols respectability.

Results: The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of maximum aerobic capacity estimated from ACSM and Gerkin protocols were 2.86 ±0.66 and 1.86 ±0.32 respectively. Significant and Positive correlation were estimated between two test for maximum aerobic capacity via two protocols of ASCM and Gerkin (r=0.74 and p<0.001). Also, there were significant associations among maximum aerobic capacity with age, sex, weight, height, and BMI in both ACSM and Gerkin protocols.

Conclusion: According to the results of almost the same ACSM and Gerkin tests, can be used step test instead of the treadmill test to estimate the maximum aerobic capacity. In addition to Physiological characteristics of the human such as sex, age, height and weight have main roles in maximum aerobic capacity.