Abstract

CASTILLO, Juan Alberto  and  CUBILLOS, Ángela. Using Pulse Rate in Estimating Workload: Evaluating a Load Mobilizing Activity. Rev. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2014, vol.12, suppl.1, pp.27-43. ISSN 1692-7273.

Introduction: The pulse rate is a direct indicator of the state of the cardiovascular system, in addition to being an indirect indicator of the energy expended in performing a task. The pulse of a person is the number of pulses recorded in a peripheral artery per unit time; the pulse appears as a pressure wave moving along the blood vessels, which are flexible, "in large arterial branches, speed of 7-10 m/s in the small arteries, 15 to 35 m/s". Materials and methods: The aim of this study was to assess heart rate, using the technique of recording the frequency of the pulse, oxygen consumption and observation of work activity in the estimation of the workload in a load handling task for three situations: lift/transfer/deposit; before, during and after the task the pulse rate is recorded for 24 young volunteers (10 women and 14 men) under laboratory conditions. We performed a gesture analysis of work activity and lifting and handling strategies. Results: We observed an increase between initial and final FP in both groups and for the two tasks, a difference is also recorded in the increase in heart rate of 17.5 for charging 75% of the participants experienced an increase in FP above 100 lat./min. Par 25 kg, registered values indicate greater than 114 lat./min and 17.5 kg than 128 lat./min values. Conclusion: The pulse rate method is recommended for its simplicity of use for operational staff, supervisors and managers and industrial engineers not trained in the physiology method can also be used by industrial hygienists.

Keywords : heart rate; pulse rate; manual materials handling; energy expenditure; activity analysis.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )