Review Article
Year: 2021 | Month: July-September | Volume: 6 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 230-235
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20210740
Pulmonary Function, Aerobic Capacity, Obesity and Stress Level in Bus Drivers and Conductors in Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation: An Evidence Based Study
Anand Jagdishchandra Patel1, Anjali Ravindra Bhise2
1M.P.T. (Cardio-Respiratory)
2M.P.T. (Cardio-Respiratory), Ph.D. Senior lecturer, Government Spine Institute and Government Physiotherapy College, Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad.
Corresponding Author: Anand Jagdishchandra Patel
ABSTRACT
Background: In rapidly growing cities there is increased use of motor vehicles. Bus drivers are exposed to toxic gases from the diesel exhaust and atmospheric pollutants, there is an increased risk of decrease in pulmonary function in bus drivers as well as bus conductors. They have irregular shift patterns; prolonged period of driving in congested areas there is an increased stress level thus an increase in cardiovascular risk factors in bus drivers. Due to prolonged period of sitting during driving and irregular meals there is increased risk of obesity in bus drivers and conductors.
Purpose: To conduct an evidence based study to find whether pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, obesity and stress level is increased bus drivers and conductors in Gujarat state.
Methodology: The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Evidences selected since year 1994-February 2020 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), ResearchGate, ScienceDirect and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Key words used were: Pulmonary function test, Aerobic capacity, Stress level, Obesity, Bus drivers and Bus conductors. Analysis was done using Modified Sackett Scale Version 4.0. Total 30 articles were found, out of which 20 articles were relevant and from those 14 articles were included in the study and other articles were excluded as per eligibility criteria.
Results:
- 8 studies showed high prevalence of reduced lung volumes.
- 2 studies showed prevalence of high level of stress.
- 2 studies showed prevalence of Overweight and obesity.
Conclusion: Based on evidences from search engines like Google scholar, PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect and ResearchGate from the year 1994- 2020, it can be concluded that bus drivers and conductors may suffer from chronic respiratory disease, high stress level and may have obesity and there is no evidence on aerobic capacity.
Keywords: Pulmonary function test, Aerobic capacity, Stress level, Obesity, Bus drivers and Bus conductors.