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VOL. 6, ISSUE 4 (2024)
Assessment of physiological workload of paddy seed selection activity performed by Assamese farm women
Authors
Kalita M, Borah R, Bhattacharyya N
Abstract
Paddy seed selection is a most important post harvest activity of
Assam. About 70 – 80 per cent of the farm women participate in seed selection
activity of paddy which is a woman exclusive post harvest activity. Seed
selection of paddy grain activity is performed to remove immature paddy as well
as paddy of other variety. Both left and right hands are used for seed
selection, left hand is used for holding the grains and right hand is used for
removing immature seeds from the bundle. An attempt was made to assess physical
fitness of farm women, to determine physiological workload and pinch grip
strength in seed selection activity. Thirty subjects in the age group of 21-45
years were purposively selected. A stepstool technique was adopted for
assessing physical fitness of the participants. Heart rate was recorded with
polar heart rate monitor (polar sports tester – PE 4000) and pinch hand
position or pinch grip was measured with pinch dynamo meter during the
operation. About 47 per cent farm women were having ‘high average’ physical
fitness. Average working heart rate values in seed selection activity was
109.20 b.min-1 and average energy expenditure was 8.16 kJ/min
respectively. Physiological workload of farm women in seed selection of paddy
grains was found to be ‘Moderately Heavy’ activity. Ergonomic interventions
through designing of small hand tool will improve work performance and enhance
productivity of farm women.
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Pages:38-40
How to cite this article:
Kalita M, Borah R, Bhattacharyya N "Assessment of physiological workload of paddy seed selection activity performed by Assamese farm women". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 6, Issue 4, 2024, Pages 38-40
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