Evaluation of metabolism from heart rate in industrial work

Oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2) and heart rate (HR) were measured in 40 men performing different types of industrial work in eight factories A [Vdot]O2-HR relationship was established for each subject using an exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. HR measured during the industrial work was entered in the [Vdot]O2-HR function, and [Vdot]O2 thus calculated. A systematic comparison of the calculated [Vdot]O2 (c[Vdot]O2) with the actual measured [Vdot]O2 (m[Vdot]O2), showed that c[Vdot]O2 significantly overestimated the [Vdot]O2 during industrial work. The degree of overestimation was related to the type of work performed. The static muscular activity and the non-steady-state characteristics of the work were responsible for most of the overestimation A more reliable technique for estimating metabolic rate is to make simultaneous measurements of [Vdot]O2 and HR at different times during the work day and then from these recordings establish a function: [Vdot]O2=f(HR). Continuous HR recordings can then be used to calculate a more accurate estimate of the metabolic rate.