Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment work simulator: energy expenditure of work activities in cardiac patients

The energy expenditure and hemodynamic responses to tasks performed on the Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment (BTE) work simulator were evaluated in men with coronary artery disease and compared to tasks performed at a laboratory workstation in which actual tools and equipment were used. Met units for the BTE work simulator and corresponding workstation tasks, respectively, were drill press operation, 1.5 +/- 0.1 and 1.5 +/- 0.3Mets; hammering, 2.3 +/- 0.3 and 3.4 +/- 0.8Mets (p < 0.05); repetitive lifting a 22.7kg weight load, 3.8 +/- 0.6 and 4.5 +/- 0.9Mets (p < 0.05); mechanic work in a supine position, 2.0 +/- 0.5 and 1.7 +/- 0.2Mets; sanding wood, 2.0 +/- 0.3 and 2.5 +/- 0.7Mets; sawing wood, 3.2 +/- 0.6 and 4.3 +/- 0.7Mets (p < 0.05); screwdriving, 2.2 +/- 0.3 and 2.5 +/- 0.5Mets (p < 0.05); shoveling, 5.45kg load 4.6 +/- 1.0 and 4.2 +/- 0.7Mets; sweeping, 1.7 +/- 0.2 and 3.0 +/- 0.4Mets (p < 0.05); and vacuuming, 2.7 +/- 0.7 and 2.9 +/- 0.5Mets. The results indicate that there is a tendency for the metabolic and hemodynamic responses to BTE work simulator tasks to be lower than that of the actual activity.