Department of Industrial Design, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Av. del Charro Num. 450 norte, Ciudad Juárez Chihuahua, CP 32310, Mexico.
Appl Ergon. 2010 Dec;42(1):162-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2010.06.017. Epub 2010 Jul 21.
Aging and gender are factors that affect the variation of physical work capacity. The present paper highlights the importance of the metabolism used by ergonomics to establish the appropriate limits of loads at work. This study compares the aerobic capacity of people from 20 to 71 years old split in 5 different groups. The laboratory experiment tested 33 volunteers (19 women and 14 men). A submaximal step test was used to measure the VO(2) using a portable breath by breath metabolic system and a telemetric heart rate monitor. Three methods to estimate the VO(2max) were compared: 1) a direct measurement of VO(2), 2) estimation by heart rate, and 3) a step test method using predetermined charts. Significant difference was encountered among the estimation methods as well as among the age ranges (F(2,92)=6.43, p<0.05 y F(4,92)=7.18, p<0.05 respectively). The method of direct measurement and the method of predetermined charts were different for the estimation of the VO(2max) with a confidence level of 95%. The method of predetermined charts is better adapted for males and people younger than 30 years. The estimation through non invasive heart rate apparatus was a good appraiser of the maximal oxygen consumption considering both genders and all the age groups.
年龄和性别是影响体力工作能力变化的因素。本文强调了人体工效学中所使用的新陈代谢来确定工作负荷适当极限的重要性。本研究比较了 20 至 71 岁的 5 个不同人群的有氧能力。实验室实验测试了 33 名志愿者（19 名女性和 14 名男性）。采用次最大台阶试验，使用便携式呼吸代谢系统和遥测心率监测仪测量 VO2。比较了三种估计 VO2max 的方法：1）直接测量 VO2，2）通过心率估计，3）使用预定图表的台阶试验法。估计方法之间以及年龄范围之间存在显著差异（F（2,92）=6.43，p<0.05 和 F（4,92）=7.18，p<0.05）。直接测量法和预定图表法在估计 VO2max 时存在差异，置信水平为 95%。预定图表法更适合男性和 30 岁以下的人。通过非侵入性心率设备进行的估计是对最大耗氧量的良好评估，考虑到了所有性别和年龄组。
