EFFECTS OF RELATIVE METABOLIC-RATE AND HEART-RATE VARIATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Abstract

The main work of the cabin attendants in an actual flight is to provide service for passengers. The effects of flight attendant duties in flight differ from the effects of the same tasks performed on the ground. The relative metabolic rate (RMR) and heart rate (HR) of cabin attendants in a cruising aircraft galley and cabin are compared with those of a crew working in a mock-up apparatus on the ground. The types of work tested were oshibori (steamed towel) service, soft drink service, setting meal tray, putting casserole on tray, meal tray service and walking in aisle. The RMR at each type of work during flight was 1.07-2.10, 1.08-1.54, 1.37-1.82, 2.57-3.50, 2.11-310 and 1.84, respectively. The range of HR was 105-120, 90-110, 90-120, 100-130 and 100-140 beats/min. In most cases, the RMR and HR levels of work done in the mock-up were lower than those recorded in flight. The O2 intake of work done in flight was greater than that on a mock-up. One of the reasons might be that the cabin barometric pressure (.apprx. 600 torr or cabin altitude .apprx. 1500 m) or an aisle inclination of 3.degree. caused a decrease in the efficiency of O2 intake during flight.