[Changes in the physiological and biochemical parameters of students during an examination]. / Promeni v niakoi fiziologichni i biokhimichni parametri u studenti po vreme na izpit.

During exercises /control/ and examination on work psychology /experiment/ were investigated the cardiac frequency, blood supply of extremities, peripheral vessel tone, velocity of pulse wave spreading, EKG, pulse variety, skin resistance, excretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline, 11-OCS and other parameters. It was established that an examination is a good model of studying the changes during stress. Characteristic intersexual and interindividual differences were found. The work is part of a broad investigation on the relation between rate of stress, changes in the organism, success, spirits, subjective perception of tenseness, individual importance of the situation, the degree of training, etc.

[Stress reaction to work today]. / Reaktsiia na stres pri suvremenniia trud.

The characteristic of stress factors at work and their effect upon humans is of great significance in labour optimization, detection of early changes in organism, assessment of the operative MAC and MAN, standardization and categorization of labour, etc. On the base of such studies (biochemical, physiological and psychophysiological) stress and fatigue in various occupations and working regimes are characterized. The results from the studies on stress reactions at work are presented in a summarized way, making use of complex methodical approach.

Changes in the excretion of corticosteroids and catecholamines in tractor-drivers.

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of mechanized agricultural work on the excretion of some corticosteroids and catecholamines in tractor-drivers during a seasonal field work. Group 1 (15 subjects) was examined three times: in the morning hours before starting work and at two intervals during the first and second half of the working day. In group two (11 subjects) the characteristics of the circadian rhythm for 24h were investigated in urine collected at six intervals. The results from both studies disclose a considerable increase of the total 17-ketosteroids, total 17-oxycorticosteroids, free 11-oxycorticosteroids, nor-adrenaline and adrenaline excretion levels which indicates overactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic nervous systems. The circadian rhythms of the examined parameters are characterized by an increasing of the mesors and a lowering of the amplitudes of the rhythmic variations. No significant changes of corticosteroids and catecholamines are established. Considerable interindividual differences in the course of excretion of the studies indices as well as the lack of marked circadian rhythm in about 50% of the subjects are found.

Psychological and biochemical strain in firemen's work.

Mental load and strain in the work of firemen and fire alarm center operators were studied in a group of 260 fireman and 6 female full-time operators from three fire brigades. The firemen proved to be satisfied with their work, and signs of chronic psychological problems were uncommon. Situational work load and related strain may, however, be extreme during active operations. A large proportion (42%) of the firemen suffered from strain after the 24-h long daily work period. Those who had recently worked as paramedics in the ambulance service or in the alarm center were under more strain than ordinary fire fighters. Biochemical stress indicators revealed a high activation of firemen at the alarm center. The difference found between firemen and full-time female operators may be due to a variation in the adaptive functions of the two sexes.

[Biochemical aspects of the strain of teachers' work]. / Biokhimichni aspekti na naprezhenieto pri rabota na uchiteli.

The study group comprised 20 teachers in the higher course of a secondary school, examined while performing their daily teaching work, and 7 teachers in a national secondary school for classic languages and cultures, where a new intensified teaching program has been established. To evaluate tension and characterize some of its determinants, the authors determined throughout the working day the following parameters: urinary excretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids (11-OCS), 17-oxycorticosteroids (17-OCS), 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA). The influence of age was assessed by determing all these parameters in 5 different age groups. It was found that these biochemical tests give a reliable insight of the strain with which teacher's work is associated. The usual daily strain was accompanied by a moderate increase in NA, A and 11-OCS excretion. Work associated with great emotional strain produced a great increase in the urinary levels of these parameters. The onset of the working day and work during the afternoon shift proved to be additional burden to the organism, which was adequately evaluated by the levels of 11-OCS, 17-KS and 17-OCS. Significant were the age-conditioned changes only in the 17-KS level after the age of 45.