Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to estimate the energy expenditure of rural women involved in dry farming operations. Pertinent anthropometric parameters of twelve well-versed women engaged in dry farming operations were measured. Among them two subjects having certain similar and variable anthropometric parameters were selected. The energy expenditure for the different operations was estimated with respect to time through closed circuit indirect calorimetry. The work-rest schedule required and effective working time in a day for different operations without inducing fatigue on the subject was assessed. The effective working time for the operations was around 300 min. The energy expenditure for dibbling seed, crop thinning, hoeing, cotton harvesting and sunflower stalk pulling were estimated as 1600, 1700, 1750, 1300 and 1900 kcal day respectively. At this level of energy expenditure, fatigue induced to the subjects was minimum. The study concluded that dibbling the seed, crop thinning, hoeing and sunflower stalk pulling activities were heavy and inducing fatigue to the women work force.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Indirect colorimetry, Anthropometry, Fatigue.