THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL-FITNESS TRAINING ON THE MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING CAPABILITY OF WOMEN

This study examined the influence of a generalized physical fitness tr aining program on manual material handling (MMH) capability, Thirteen healthy women trained for 14 weeks, performing progressive resistance training three days per week and running with interval training two da ys per week, Subjects attended 85+/-6% of the sessions, Compared to va lues obtained before training, subjects increased the maximum mass the y could lift from floor to knuckle height by 19% (68-81 kg, p < 0.001) and from floor to chest height by 16% (49-57 kg, p < 0.001), They imp roved by 17% their ability to lift 15 kg as many times as possible in 10 min(167-195 lifts, p < 0.001), while perception of effort (measured with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion) did not change, Total bod y mass did not change, but body fat mass was reduced by 9% (18.8-17.2 kg, p=0.036) and fat-free mass increased by 6% (48.2-51.0 kg, p < 0.00 1), A short-term physical fitness program, conducted about 1 h per day , five days per week, can substantially improve women's MMH capability and provide favorable changes in body composition (increased fat-free mass and decreased body fat). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.