The present study was undertaken to work out the ergonomic cost of potato harvesting activity performed by rural women of Punjab. Thirty rural women who were in average state of health were involved in the experiment. The activity was performed both by the traditional method using Khurpa as well as by improved method using Tractor operated elevator digger. Heart rate of the women was recorded during the entire activity. Rated perceived exertion (RPE) was measured on 5-point scale. Total cardiac cost of work, physiological cost of work and energy expenditure were also calculated with the standard techniques. Results of the study showed that the average heart rate and energy expenditure of the women were reduced significantly while performing the potato harvesting activity with the use of tractor operated elevator digger as compared to traditional khurpa. The use of tractor operated digger also lead to reduction in the muscular stresses.
Physiological cost of work, Postural analysis, Rated perceived exertion, Total cardiac cost of work, Workload
