Estimation of metabolic rate using qualitative job descriptors.

This project developed two methods to estimate metabolic rate that can be used easily and provide acceptable precision. The methods were developed from the measurement of oxygen consumption on 80 typical jobs in automotive manufacturing. The Ready-Reference Method uses three easily identified, dichotomous characteristics to classify the job into one of four levels of metabolic rate. The characteristics are based on motion of the hands, weights or forces, and walking; standard error of estimate was 68 kcal/hour. The Component Method has four terms that account for hand motion, walking/carrying, lifting, and pushing/pulling. Hand motions and lifting factors are characterized by three or four categories with a reference value to make the determination easier by using more qualitative data. Walking/carrying and pushing/pulling data are noted as typical distances traveled in one minute. The standard error of estimate for this method was 62 kcal/hour. In addition to a smaller standard error of estimate, the further advantage of the Component Method over the Ready-Reference Method is an ability to point toward the largest contributors to metabolic rate.