Saturation of muscle and peripheral oxygen, blood pressure, and perceived exertion in individuals exposed to repetitive muscle work

TL;DR

This study examines how men and women respond physiologically and perceptually to repetitive upper-body work, finding minimal sex-related differences.

Contribution

The study provides new empirical evidence on sex-related physiological responses during repetitive upper-extremity work.

Findings

No significant differences in muscle oxygen saturation were found between men and women.

Men reported higher perceived exertion in elbow flexors at 10% load after 10 minutes.

Men had higher blood pressure values at 20 minutes with 10% and 20% loads.

Abstract

Sex-related physiological responses to repetitive load-bearing work are of
interest due to the limited available evidence and their relevance to
occupational health.

To investigate potential sex-related differences in selected physiological
and perceptual variables during the performance of a repetitive
upper-extremity task.

A non-probabilistic sample of 20 young adults (10 men and 10 women) was
recruited. Participants, in a standing position, performed repetitive work
cycles every 2 seconds using their dominant upper limb with the elbow flexed
at 90° elbow flexion, while handling loads equivalent to 10%, 20%, and 30%
of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Local muscle oxygenation
was monitored at 0, 10, and 20 minutes in the finger flexors and elbow
flexors. Peripheral oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and perceived
exertion were also assessed.

No statistically significant differences were observed in muscle oxygen
saturation; however, men showed slightly higher values. A significant sex
difference in perceived exertion was identified only in the elbow flexors at
10% load at 10 minutes (p = 0.029). Blood pressure values were significantly
higher in men, but only at minute 20 with the 10% and 20% loads.

Physiological responses to repetitive work showed minimal sex-related
differences. Local and global adaptations were similar, with only minor
variations in perceived exertion. Future research should explore sex-related
variability in samples representing the average working-age population and
using alternative operational models.