Energy expenditure and clearing snow: a comparison of shovel and snow pusher

In order to assess the energy demands of manual clearing of snow, nine men did snow clearing work for 15 min with a shovel and a snow pusher. The depth of the snowcover was 400–600 mm representing a very heavy snowfall. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (Vdot]O₂), pulmonary ventilation ( Vdot]O_E), respiratory exchange ratio (R), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined during the work tasks. HR, Vdot]O_E, R, and RPE were not significantly different between the shovel and snow pusher. HR averaged (± SD) 141 ± 20bmin_-1 with the shovel, and 142 ± 19 beats-min_-1 with the snow pusher. Vdot]O₂was 2·1 ± 0·41 min_-1 (63 ± 12% Vdot]O₂max) in shovelling and 2·6 ± 0·51 min_-1 (75 ± 14% Vdot]O₂max) in snow pushing (p< 0·001). In conclusion manual clearing of snow in conditions representing heavy snowfalls was found to be strenuous physical work, not suitable for persons with cardiac risk factors, but which may serve as a mode of physical training in healthy adults.