Determination of physical activity energy expenditure to evaluate occupational health perception of underground mine workers

Miner fatigue is a critical hazard in underground mining. Factors such as age, Body Mass Index (BMI), lifestyle, aerobic strength, and Physical Activity Energy Expenditure (PAEE) of miners significantly influence fatigue intensity. Therefore, this study investigated underground miner’s fatigue by analyzing the difference between PAEE at the maximum volume of oxygen consumed (VO2 max) and the peak PAEE required during a work shift. The results showed that 55.81 % of miners with very low aerobic capacity had only 45–590 kcal of energy remaining after completing an effective working shift. A Pearson correlation revealed a strong negative association (R = −0.79, p = 0.01) between fatigue and Remaining Aerobic Energy Potential (RAEP). Later, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to explore the relationships between key personal factors (age, BMI, lifestyle) and perceived health, mediated by PAEE at VO2 max, RAEP, and fatigue. The SEM analysis demonstrated that BMI and lifestyle had significant indirect effects on perceived health through PAEE at VO2 max, RAEP, and fatigue. These findings provide valuable insights for mine management in developing fatigue management strategies to enhance the health and well-being of miners.