Masoud Motallebi Kashani - Kashan University Of Medical Sciences
Mohammad-Ali Lahmi۲ - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences
Ali Khavanin - Tarbiatmodares University

In order to improve the workers' health and prevent early damage to their workforce, it is necessary to make a balance between energy expenditure and physical capacity of workers. Therefore determination of physical capacity of workers is one of the major subjects in ergonomics. It was a descriptive study. 105 male workers in three age groups (20-29, 30- 39 and 40-49 years old) were examined in two methods (sub maximal test and Astrand method) by ergometercycle and telemeter. Aerobic capacity among 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49 age groups were respectively 3.4, 2.7 and 2.3 L.min-1, and their physical work capacity were 5.9, 4.7 and 4kcal.min-1. Aerobic capacity was decreased by smoking while increased by physical practice. Heart rate indication is also a reliable criterion to assess the work load. Results have revealed workers' problem at heavy and extremely heavy works and planning to improve physical work capacity is recommended.

Physical work, Aerobic capacity