A study on physique, exercise frequency and physical strength of middle-aged forestry workers

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare physical strength, physique, exercise frequency and type of work of 4,334 male and 439 female middle-aged office and outdoor forestry workers. Both male and female outdoor workers were taller and had lower Broca's indices than their office counterparts, while the body weight of outdoor male workers was lighter and that of female outdoor workers heavier than those of male and female office workers, respectively. The number of outdoor workers not engaging in frequent exercise was found to be significantly greater than that of office workers. Male outdoor workers had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (cardio-respiratory endurance), grip strength (muscular strength) and standing trunk flexion (static flexibility) than the male office workers whereas the opposite was true for whole body reaction time (agility), eyes-closed one-leg balancing (static balance) and sit-ups (muscular endurance). Female outdoor workers had higher maximal oxygen uptake (cardio-respiratory endurance), grip strength (muscular strength) and standing trunk flexion (static flexibility) than the female office workers, whereas the opposite was the case for whole body reaction time (agility), eyes-closed one-leg balancing (static balance) and sit-ups (muscular endurance). All of these differences among females were significant except for maximal oxygen uptake (cardio-respiratory endurance). When indoor and outdoor workers of the same sex with similar physiques and exercise frequencies were compared male outdoor workers had higher maximal oxygen uptake (cardio-respiratory endurance) and greater standing trunk flexion (static flexibility) whereas female outdoor workers had greater grip strength (muscular strength) and standing trunk flexion (static flexibility). From these results, it was suggested that maximal oxygen uptake (cardio-respiratory endurance) and standing trunk flexion (static flexibility) in the male workers and grip strength (muscular strength) and standing trunk flexion (static flexibility) in the female workers were related to their working situations. Both the physical strength of workers and personal characteristics must be carefully considered in order to preserve the health of both indoor and outdoor forestry workers.