Study of ergonomical characteristics of farm workers

Ergonomics is system design compressed of man-machine and environment relationship to bring about some output against some given inputs considering different physical, anatomical, physiological, and psychological limits of human being. Based on different workloads (N) and speed (rpm), the experiment was conducted on MONARK 828E Ergometer, to evaluate heart rates of different age groups with variable weights and heights. The farm workers (both men and women) of 20-30 years age group have developed a maximum working heart rate as compared to other age groups of 31-40 and 41-50 years. The energy expenditure rate (EER) for all the farm workers obtained were graded as ‘moderately heavy’. The body mass index (BMI) of age groups 20-30 and 31-40 years were considered as ‘Normal’ and 41-50 were considered as ‘Obese Grade I’. The ponderal index (PI) of all age groups, that is, 20-30, 31-40, and 41-50 years were ‘Ectomorph’ in nature. Further, statistical analysis was performed to develop regression based prediction equation for EER using age, weight, height, heart rate, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) as input variables.   Key word: Ergonomics, heart rate, energy expenditure, ponderal index, body mass index.