CAN CARDIOVASCULAR LOAD IN ERGONOMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY BE ESTIMATED BY SELF-REPORT

In ergonomic epidemiology exposure to local loads as well as cardiovas cular load may contribute to general and local fatigue and musculoskel etal disease. Self-reported exposure is often the only feasible method in large population studies, The aim of this study was to evaluate re trospectively self-reported physical activity and perceived exertion a s estimates of cardiovascular load during occupational work. The study population consisted of 39 men, representing 25 different occupations , Ratings of physical exertion (RPE scale) and physical activity (Edho lm scab transferred to multiples of the basal metabolic rate, METs) at the end of a work shift were correlated with the average heart rate d uring the same work shift. lit the male population, both RPE ratings a nd METs correlated significantly (P < .01) with the average heart rate . No such correlation was observed in the female population.