Aerobic capacity of steel workers in India.

Abstract Seventy-six workers, aged 21–43 y. drawn from three major steel plants—two located in the eastern and one in the central region of India (referred to as Group A, Group B and Group C respectively)—were studied on the bicycle ergometer to determine their aerobic capacity ([Vdot]O2max), Both the direct and indirect methods were employed, the direct one being used only in the case of the workers in Group C. The mean [Vdot]O2max of these workers was found to be 42·6 cm3 kg−1 with a standard error of ± 0·71 cm3 kg−1 min−1. The highest values were observed among the workers in Group B (mean 47·0± 1·35 (S.E.)cm3kg−1 min−1) who are ethnically distinct and have a high level of customary activity, and the lowest among workers in Group C (mean: 39·0±0·74(S.E.) cm3kg−1 min−1). As expected, the [Vdot]O2max was found to be correlated positively with body weight, and negatively with age in a multiple regression analysis. Furthermore, the active Group B has values for [Vdot]O2max that are significantly higher tha...