Lecture 35 - Occupational and work physiology

Question 1

what is the primary focus of work and occupational physiology?

Answer 1

ensure workers are physically capable of achieving their daily tasks without undue fatigue or risk of injury

Question 2

how do you match job demands with physical capability?

Answer 2

alter the job tasks to fit the worker population

selection the worker to perform the task

train the work force

Question 3

what is the first step in developing physical tests for job performance?

Answer 3

define job tasks - talk to experts

separate based on physiological capacities

measure different markers

Question 4

In a load Carriage (march with 40kg pack), what is an appropriate intensity and why?

Answer 4

55% VO2MAX

important to be able to complete sub-maximally as there may be battles along the way, need to have reserves for section attack (20-30 x10m bounds over 20 mins)

Question 5

What are the factors affecting measurements of work rate

Answer 5

physical profile of the worker - VO2MAX, body mass, height

task paramenters - scenario, worker proficiency, motivation

Question 6

true or false

HR overestimates VO2 max:

high thermal burden
static work
work by small muscle groups
stress
smoking
prolonged work at high intensity

Answer 6

true

measuring VO2max is better

Question 7

uphill incline will increase __ ___ and downhill incline increases _____ work

Answer 7

uphill incline will increase work rate and downhill incline increases eccentric work

even quite light hilly terrain will increase work rate by quite a bit

Question 8

If you weigh less you’re at a disadvantage of performing army tasks as…

Answer 8

the weight you carry will have more of an impact on you VO2MAX

Question 9

Male vs. female:

females are initially disadvantaged due to ___ ______

The percentile required for females would be ___

for males ___

Answer 9

Male vs. female:

females are initially disadvantaged due to weighing less

The percentile required for females would be 90th

for males 60th

Question 10

Employees must be capable of performing their job in a ___ manner

Answer 10

safe manner

Question 11

manula handling accounts for __% of work related injuries

Answer 11

35%

Question 12

The recommended weight of lift takes into account with 3 factors of manual handling:

Answer 12

Psychophysical
- perceived acceptible limit

Physiological
= % max aerobic capacity

Biomechanical
-lumbosacral stress

horizontal/vertical/distance/coupling/asymmetry/frequency multipliers

Question 13

What is the the max weight suggested under optimal circumstances for the recommended weight of lift

Answer 13

23kg

But not always possible to alter the task - pack weight weight 30kg
- select individuals capable of performing the task safely

Question 14

The problem:

• increased risk of injury if jon tasks are at maximal capacity
• biomechanical factors cannot be influenced
• psychophysical measures are self selected

whats the manual handling solution?

Answer 14

max lifting capacity is correlated with psychophyical measures

max lifting tests can be used to predict a ‘safe’standard

Question 15

High body fat % and inexerpeience are the greatest risk factors for…

Answer 15

heat-related illness

Question 16

what is the effective ways of dealing with heat-related illness?

Answer 16

acclimatisation

• sweating;faster onset, greater production
• increased BV
• lower resting core temp and lower rise during exercise

Question 17

Hypothermia is a core body temp below ___

Answer 17

35 degrees

Question 18

what is cold-induced vasodilation?

Answer 18

increased peripheral blood flow at the expense of core temp

avoids frostbite - a good protective mechanism

Question 19

how is performance affected by the cold?

Answer 19

reflexes and movements slower and less precise

reduced force

dexterity decreases

3% increase in VO2 per 1kg of additional clothing

Question 20

people exposed to cold over a long period of time will have what changes?

Answer 20

blunted shivering and vasocontriction

increased loss of core body temp

for workers this means:
improved dexterity, less uncomfortable, maintained performance - but no reduction in the risk of hypothermia