title: Ergonomic evaluation of pounding of rice with traditional tool.
abstract: Pounding of rice for the preparation of indigenous food items is a regular food processing activity in rural Assam. The traditional tool used by the rural women for pounding is called 'Dhenki'.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An attempt was made to assess physical fitness of participants, to determine physiological workload involved in pounding of rice with this traditional tool, and to ascertain muscular and postural stress involved in the activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects in the age of 21-45 years were purposively selected.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stepstool technique was adopted for assessing physical fitness of the participants. Heart rate was recorded with Polar Heart Rate Monitor (Polar Sports Tester - PE 4000) and angle of deviation in lower lumber region was measured with Dual Inclinometer during the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average resting heart rate values of participants was 80 b.min(-1). Average working heart rate values in pounding activity was 118.18 b.min(-1) and average energy expenditure was 10.04 kJ/min. Physiological workload of pounding of rice on the basis of heart rate and Energy Expenditures was found to be 'Moderately Heavy'. Perceived exertion of participants in pounding activity (RPE) was rated 4.1 in 5 point scales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ergonomic interventions through redesigning of traditional tool will improve work performance and enhance productivity of farm women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Resource Management, Faculty of Home Science, Assam Agricultural University, Assam, India. ruplekha borah@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Ruplekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borah
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D012275:Oryza; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012424:Rural Population; D014937:Work