title: Cardiovascular strain of sawmill workers in South-Western Nigeria.
abstract: This study aimed to assess cardiovascular strain during sawmilling operations in terms of physical workload, based on heart rate changes. We measured resting and working heart rates and calculated cardiovascular load (%CVL), cardiovascular strain (%CVS) and relative heart rate (%RHR) in 35 sawmill workers. Based on heart rate only, the work in sawmills was classified as very heavy and extremely heavy. Similarly, a high-level category was recorded for %CVL and a very high range for %CVS. Thus, the workload in sawmill operations is usually very high and can lead to physiological strain of the workers. There is a need to redesign the work content of this occupation to prevent excessive strain in the workers, as this will increase their productivity and reduce their health risk.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. ismailasalami@yahoo.com.
authors: Salami Olasunkanmi
authors: SO
authors: Ismaila
authors: Kolawole Taofik
authors: KT
authors: Oriolowo
authors: Olusegun Gabriel
authors: OG
authors: Akanbi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D014934:Wood; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology*; D016526:Workload