Exercise and cardiovascular load in workers with high occupational physical activity

Abstract

This study investigated the association between exercise and cardiovascular load in Korean mail carriers with high occupational physical activity (OPA). A total of 36 subjects completed a questionnaire, and their heart rates were measured for 3 consecutive days. Treadmill tests were used determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max). The subjects’ relative heart rate (RHR) was 25.6%±4.5%, which was higher than the recommended RHR (24.5%). Daily working hours were 11.1 ± 0.9 hours, which was longer than the maximum acceptable work time (7.8 ± 1.7 hours). Multiple regression analysis showed that daily working hours were positively associated with RHR, but exercise did not show any significant association. According to the results of this study, exercise may not be of benefit to workers with high OPA, suggesting that exercise should be cautiously considered for workers with high OPA.

Keywords:

• Cardiovascular load
• exercise
• occupational physical activity
• relative heart rate
• working hours

Disclosure statement

Korea Post organized a team (“Team for working condition improvement in mail carriers”) composed of Labor union, Korea Post, and external experts. This team placed an order for this study, and Korea Post did not influence the study. So there might have been some conflict of interests, but the present study was performed without any influence of the funder.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Korea Post.