The physical working capacity of Iranian steel-workers.

Abstract The physical working capacity of steel-workers at the Iranian Steel Corporation's factory near Esfahan was assessed by means of a step test previously evaluated (Tuxworth and Shahnawaz 1977) by comparison with laboratory measurements of maximum oxygen consumption ([Vdot]o2 max ) and heart rate (fH). A sample of 400 workers representing a manual production work population of over 8000 was tested. Values are presented for [Vdot]o2 max and predicted fH at sub-maximal levels of [Vdot]o2 , Physical working capacity of the Iranian workers is compared with that of steel-workers of other nationalities and related to a study of the work stress in the blast furnace which is also compared to values for other field studies in the industry.

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