The physical work capacity of workers 50-64 years old.

Summary. Eighty-one of one hundred 50—64 years old transport workers for breweries in a district of Stockholm were examined with respect to physical work capacity. The subjects were tested on a bicycle ergometer at increasing work loads, the heaviest of which caused the subject to be exhausted after about 6 minutes work. The following conclusions could be drawn from the data obtained. 1) The pulse reaction to a submaximal work load did not differ from that one of younger subjects. Mean heart rate at about 900 kpm/min. was about 145 beats/min. 2) Maximal work was reached at a lower work load than in younger subjects with the same pulse reaction to submaximal work. 3) The heart rate at maximal work was about 160 beats per minute at an oxygen intake of about 2.5 litres per minute. 4) The physical work capacity of individuals of different age can not be estimated and compared only on the basis of the pulse reaction to submaximal work.