An Ergonomic Assessment and Fitness Evaluation of Young Male Tea Factory Workers in Dooars, West Bengal

Abstract

Introduction: There are very few published reports on the heath status of tea garden workers of West Bengal, while reports on cardiorespiratory fineness and body composition of male tea factory workers is almost scanty. Purpose: The present study was carried out in the Dooars region of the Cooch Behar district, West Bengal to evaluate the physical fitness and morphological characteristics due to the physio-logical workload of respondents engaged in processing of tea leaves in factories within the tea-estates. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 18-25 years’ young male tea-garden workers (n=15) by random selection from Cooch Behar District, West Bengal (mean age 20.1) and college students (n=15) of Kolkata (mean age 21.9), who served as controls. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated in terms of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and physical fitness index (PFI), while morphological characters were estimated by means of physical anthropometric measures. Results: A significant difference in body surface area, body mass index, percentage of body fat (% fat), blood pressure, physical fitness index, energy expenditure, anaerobic power, mean upper arm circumference, thigh circumference, waist circum-ference and buttock circumference were found (p<0.05) in tea garden workers. No significant difference was observed in calf circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Conclusions: On the basis of the findings of the present study using morphometric indicators and fitness markers it can be concluded that, the majority of respondents had an ectomorph stature but have good physical fitness level.