Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Quarry Workers

Quarry workers are routinely exposed to respirable dust, which increases the risk of impaired ventilatory function and reduced physical performance. Long-term occupational dust exposure has been associated with respiratory symptoms, decreased pulmonary function, and poorer health-related quality of life. Exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation is widely recommended to improve respiratory function and physical capacity; however, limited evidence is available regarding the comparative effectiveness of aerobic versus resistance exercise training in quarry workers. This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of aerobic exercise training and resistance exercise training on ventilatory function in quarry workers. Secondary outcomes include functional capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Seventy-five clinically stable male quarry workers aged 30-40 years will be randomly allocated into three equal groups: an aerobic exercise training group, a resistance exercise training group, and a control group.

Participants in the aerobic and resistance exercise groups will receive their assigned exercise program in addition to routine medical treatment and breathing exercise training. The control group will receive routine medical treatment and breathing exercise training only. All interventions will be performed three times per week for eight consecutive weeks.

Ventilatory function will be assessed using spirometry, including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). Functional capacity will be evaluated using the Harvard Step Test, while health-related quality of life will be assessed using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

The findings of this study are expected to identify the most effective exercise modality for improving ventilatory function, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life among quarry workers, thereby providing evidence to optimize pulmonary rehabilitation programs for this occupational population.

Inclusion criteria

• Male quarry workers.
• The age range is between 30 and 40 years.
• BMI values from 25 to 29.9 kg/m².
• They work 5 to 6 times per weeks with mean exposure range (5-10 years) (Kumar et al., 2014). Exhibited chest manifestations (Respiratory symptoms) like cough, dyspnea, wheeze, and ventilatory impairment with significant reduction in (FEV1/FVC<70% and/or FVC<80% and reduce Peak Expiratory flow 25- 75% (PEF25-75%)(Abdelwahaab et al., 2025).
• Clinically stable (no exacerbation in past 4-6 weeks).
• Low levels of physical activity (using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version) (The Arabic version of the questionnaire will be used).

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with acute respiratory infections or recent exacerbation(4-6 weeks).
• Asthmatic patient.
• Chest cancer.
• Musculoskeletal diseases and other disorders that could potentially impact the study's findings are excluded from the trial.
• Other major lung diseases (e.g., TB, ILD, bronchiectasis, cancer).
• Unstable cardiovascular disease.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Severe musculoskeletal or neurological limitation to exercise.
• Cognitive impairment.
• Participation in PR in past 6 months.
• Heavy smokers.