Abstract

The work demands of a physical education instructor are comparable to those of a forestry, agricultural or construction worker. This would explain the higher rate of musculoskeletal disorders in these instructors, despite their physical condition that is better than that of the general population. While a prior study (099-285) documented the problem of occupational injuries in these workers, this study will complete the data obtained by measuring energy expenditure in order to determine the workload, which has not been done up to now. Its results will lead to the establishment of tables of these instructors’ energy expenditures based on gender, task, experience and level of instruction. This knowledge could also serve later in the development of a training program for future physical education instructors as well as the rehabilitation and return to work of injured instructors.