Aerobic capacity of dock workers in Bombay

The aerobic capacity (VO2max) of 61 healthy loaders from Bombay Docks actively engaged in heavy manual work of lifting and carrying of food grains bags was estimated by an extrapolation technique based on linear relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake at different levels of physical work. The average VO2max was found to be 2572 plus or minus 54 ml (S.E.)/min.(STPD) or 46.6 plus or minus 0.96 (S.E.) ml.min.-1 kg-1 (STPD) which is high in many cases when compared to the values reported by other Indian workers among different occupational groups. The possible reasons are discussed. The results further reveal that the VO2max is negatively correlated with age and that this relationship is more pronounced with subjects, aged 31-49 years. The gradual fall in aerobic capacity was observed beyond 33 years of age.