The physiological responses of male low seam coal miners were measured both above and below ground to ascertain the characteristics and task demands of mining low coal in very restricted surroundings (seam height 1.2 m or lower). Aerobic capacity was estimated from measurements of expired air and heart rate taken while subjects rode a stationary bicycle. Total ventilation (as measured by a respirometer) was used to assess underground energy expenditure and oxygen consumption. Results indicate that low seam coal miners do not have higher maximum oxygen consumption values than non mining populations. Individual task analyses for oxygen uptake and kilocalorie expenditure are discussed.
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