Effects of Anthropometric and Demographic Factors on Physical Work Capacity of Students of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Measurement of Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2-max) is important in physiologically fitting the workers to the job. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of anthropometric and demographic factors on physical work capacity. Methods: Methods: In this study 60 students of Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences were selected voluntarily. A checklist consisted of two sections was used as data collecting tool. The first section included demographic characteristics. The second section included anthropometric characteristics of the students. Students aerobic capacity was assessed by ergometer according to Astrand protocol for 6 minutes. Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate association between demographic variables and VO2-max. Results: Students aerobic capacity was estimated to be 2.19 0.56 lit/min and 35.95 8.97 ml/kg. min. Statistical analysis revealed association between VO2-max with sex, weight, height, body fat percentage (p ≤0.01) and width of shoulders (p ≤0.04). Conclusion: Among the demographic factors showed that only sex and anthropometric dimensions weight, height, width of shoulders and body fat percentage were significantly associated with physical work capacity. Therefore, using the regression equations mentioned in this study, it is possible to estimate the physical work capacity according to the gender and anthropometrics dimensions.