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Factors associated with population variation in physiological working capacity
Author(s) -
Shephard Roy J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330280506
Subject(s) - working population , variation (astronomy) , population , aerobic capacity , athletes , environmental health , balance (ability) , psychology , gerontology , demography , medicine , physical therapy , sociology , physics , astrophysics
Determinants of working capacity vary with the task to be performed, cultural differences in the distinction between work and leisure, and secular trends to a sedentary society. However, tolerance of physical effort is still necessary in many developing countries. Determinations of working capacity should examine at least aerobic power, body composition, physical performance, and muscular endurance. Often, compromises will be necessary when testing in remote locations, but where possible, normal laboratory procedures should be followed. Data must be interpreted in relation to size, nutrition, fluid balance, lifestyle (including current activity habits and cigarette consumption), family size, and general health. The range of human variation can be examined by several techniques, including data distribution curves for large populations, the study of extreme variants such as athletes and patients with metabolic abnormalities, and comparisons between close relatives. To date, population studies have failed to unravel the relative contribution of constitution and environment to the determination of physical working capacity. The way ahead probably lies in more extended studies of relatives, sustained over several generations.