Summary
A multi-stage, repetitive lifting maximal oxygen uptake (\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\)) test was developed to be used as an occupational research tool which would parallel standard ergometric\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) testing procedures. The repetitive lifting\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) test was administered to 18 men using an automatic repetitive lifting device. An intraclass reliability coefficient of 0.91 was obtained with data from repeated tests on seven subjects. Repetitive lifting\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) test responses were compared to those for treadmill, cycle ergometer and arm crank ergometer. The mean±SD repetitive lifting\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) of 3.20±0.42 l · min−1 was significantly (p<0.01) less than treadmill\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\)(Δ = 0.92 l · min−1) and cycle ergometer\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) (Δ = 0.43 l· min−1) and significantly greater than arm crank ergometer\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) (Δ = 0.63 l · min−1). The correlation between repetitive lifting oxygen uptake and power output wasr = 0.65.\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) correlated highly among exercise modes, but maximum power output did not. The efficiency of repetitive lifting exercise was significantly greater than that for arm cranking and less than that for leg cycling. The repetitive lifting\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) test has an important advantage over treadmill or cycle ergometer tests in the determination of relative repetitive lifting intensities. The individual curves of\(\dot V_{O_2 }\) vs. power output established during the multi-stage lifting\(\dot V_{O_{2max} }\) test can be used to accurately select work loads required to elicit given percentages of maximal oxygen uptake.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Astrand I (1960) Aerobic work capacity in men and women with special reference to age. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl49] 169:64–73
Astrand P-O, Rodahl K (1977) Textbook of Work Physiology, second edition. McGraw-Hill, New York
Durnin JVGA, Womersley J (1974) Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thicknesses; measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 32:77–96
Garg A, Herrin GD (1979) Stoop or squat: a biomechanical and metabolic evaluation. AIIE Transactions 11:293–302
Intaranont K, Ayoub MM, Bobo WM, Smith JL (1986) Physical lifting capacity: the anaerobic threshold approach. In: Karwowski W (ed) Trends in ergonomics/human factors III. Elsevier Science Publishers, North-Holland, p 835–846
Jorgensen K, Poulsen E (1974) Physiological problems in repetitive lifting with special reference to tolerance limits to the maximum lifting frequency. Ergonomics 17:31–39
Khalil TM, Genaidy AM, Asfour SS, Vinciguerra T (1985) Physiological limits in lifting. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 46:220–224
Legg SJ, Myles WS (1981) Maximum acceptable repetitive lifting workloads for an 8-hour work-day using psychophysical and subjective rating methods. Ergonomics 24:907–916
Legg SJ, Pateman C (1984) A physiological study of the repetitive lifting capabilities of healthy young males. Ergonomics 27:259–272
Miller JC, Farlow DE, Seltzer ML (1977) Physiological analysis of repetitive lifting. Aviat Space Environ Med 48:984–988
Mital A (1984) Comprehensive maximum acceptable weight of lift data base for regular 8-h work shifts. Ergonomics 27:1127–1138
Mital A, Ayoub MM (1981) Effect of task variables and their interactions in lifting and lowering loads. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 42:134–142
Mitchell JH, Sproule BJ, Chapman CB (1957) The physiological meaning of the maximal oxygen intake test. J Clin Invest 37:538–547
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (1981) Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting. Publication No 81–122 Cincinatti, Ohio, pp 41–83
Peacock B (1980) The physical workload in parcel handling. Ergonomics 23:417–424
Petrofsky JS, Lind AR (1978a) Comparison of metabolic and ventilatory responses of men to various lifting tasks and bicycle ergometry. J Appl Physiol 45:60–63
Petrofsky JS, Lind AR (1978b) Metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory factors in the development of fatigue in lifting tasks. J Appl Physiol 45:64–68
Randle IPM, Legg SJ (1985) A comparison of the effects of mixed static and dynamic work with mainly dynamic work in hot conditions. Eur J Applied Physiol 54:201–206
Sawka MN, Foley ME, Pimental NA, Toner MM, Pandolf KB (1983) Determination of maximal aerobic power during upper body exercise. J Appl Physiol 54:113–117
Snook SH, Irvine CH (1968) Maximum frequency of lift acceptable to male industrial workers. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 29:531–536
Teves MA, McGrath JM, Knapik JJ, Legg SJ (1986) An ergometer for maximal effort repetitive lifting. Proc of the Eighth Ann Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Med and Biol Soc, pp 592–593
Vogel JA, Patton JF, Mello RP, Daniels WL (1986) An analysis of aerobic capacity in a large United States population. J Appl Physiol 60:494–500
Williams CA, Petrofsky JS, Lind AR (1982) Physiological responses of women during lifting exercise. Eur J Applied Physiol 50:133–144
Winter DA (1979) Biomechanics of human movement. John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 50–57
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sharp, M.A., Harman, E., Vogel, J.A. et al. Maximal aerobic capacity for repetitive lifting: comparison with three standard exercise testing modes. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 57, 753–760 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01075999
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01075999