scholarly journals Association between muscle strength, upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers at a tertiary hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaís Marques Fifolato ◽  
Heloísa Correa Bueno Nardim ◽  
Ester Rodrigues do Carmo Lopes ◽  
Karen A. Kawano Suzuki ◽  
Natalia Claro da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Shoulder Strength ◽  
Ability Index

Abstract Background Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders negatively affect ability to perform activities of daily living, self-care and work. Therefore, outcome measurements that address muscle strength, fatigue resistance, functionality and work physical capacity must be defined to assess and plan specific actions to minimize them. Objective To investigate the association of upper extremity muscle strength with upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers from a tertiary hospital. Methods Shoulder and elbow isokinetic strength were assessed by Biodex System 4™, isometric hand grip by JAMAR™, upper extremity fatigue resistance by Functional Impairment Test Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA), ability to work by the Work Ability Index and upper extremity dysfunction by the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuickDASH-Br questionnaire. The Nordic questionnaire and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used for pain description. The associations were analysed by Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho) (p < 0.05). Results Twenty-seven participants: 59.2% women; mean age 46 years old; 70.3% obese/overweight; 62.9% active with predominantly dynamic muscle contraction work. Besides predominance of good to moderate work ability (81.4%) and comorbidities (37%), all participants had symptoms of the upper extremities for at least 12 months, with a predominance of low-intensity in the shoulder (55.5%). In addition, 88.8% reported pain in other segments. Muscle strength of abduction (rho = 0.49), adduction (rho = 0.40), internal rotation (rho = 0.44) and hand grip (rho = 0.68) presented moderate correlation with FIT-HaNSA. Hand grip (rho = − 0.52) showed moderate correlation with upper extremity dysfunction. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study suggested the association of shoulder strength with fatigue resistance. Also, hand grip strength was associated with upper extremity dysfunction and fatigue resistance. No association was found with the Work Ability Index in this sample. So, it is suggested that hand grip and shoulder strength could be outcome measurements used for future interventions focused on upper extremity preventive exercises to improve strength and fatigue resistance of workers at risk for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Other individual, psychosocial and organizational risk factors must also be considered as influences on upper extremity function.

Correlation between muscle strength, fatigue resistance, work ability and upper limb dysfunction in a sample of workers at a university hospital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Fonseca ◽  
Thaís Marques Fifolato ◽  
Heloísa Correa Bueno Bueno Nardim ◽  
Ester Rodrigues do Carmo Lopes ◽  
Karen A Kawano Suzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Ability To Work ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Pain Catastrophising ◽  
Upper Limb Dysfunction

Abstract IntroductionThe upper extremity is related to the functional ability to perform activities of daily living, self-care and work. Complaints in the upper limbs negatively affect these skills, therefore, it is necessary to obtain information about work demands.ObjectiveTo correlate upper limb muscle strength with fatigue resistance, work ability and dysfunction in a sample of workers from a university hospital.MethodsShoulder and elbow strength were assessed by Biodex System 4™, hand grip by JAMAR™, fatigue resistance by Functional Impairment test Hand/Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA), the ability to work by the Work Ability Index and upper limb dysfunction by QUICK-DASH-Br. The Brazilian version of the Pain Catastrophising Scale (B-PCS) was applied in order to analyse the catastrophic profile of the sample. The correlations were analysed by Spearman's Correlation Coefficient (rho)(p < 0.05).Results27 workers presented with chronic pain of low intensity, were classified as active and underwent predominantly dynamic work. Muscle strength of abduction (0.49), adduction (0.40), internal rotation (0.44), elbow flexion (0.38) and hand grip (0.68) had a direct correlation with FIT-HaNSA. Only hand grip (-0.52) showed an inverse correlation with upper limb dysfunction. Muscle strength was not correlated with work ability or pain catastrophising.ConclusionThe results suggested that increasing muscle strength may improve fatigue resistance. Also, improving hand grip strength could decrease upper limb dysfunction. In contrast to previous findings, muscle strength was not related to the ability to work or to pain catastrophising, because these factors are not only influenced by physical function, but also by psychosocial functioning.

IS HEALTH, MEASURED BY WORK ABILITY INDEX, AFFECTED BY 12-HOUR ROTATING SHIFT SCHEDULES?

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1135-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yong ◽  
Michael Nasterlack ◽  
Rolf-Peter Pluto ◽  
Kathrin Elmerich ◽  
Dorothee Karl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Ability ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Shift Schedules ◽  
Ability Index

scholarly journals Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1722
Author(s):  
Yasmín Ezzatvar ◽  
Joaquín Calatayud ◽  
Lars Louis Andersen ◽  
Edgar Ramos Vieira ◽  
Rubén López-Bueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Muscular Fitness ◽  
Physical Tests ◽  
Ability Index ◽  
Age And Sex

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a validated and widely used tool in occupational research. However, normative values for physical therapists (PTs) by age and sex are lacking. Although the nature of PTs’ work is physically demanding, it is unknown whether muscular fitness is associated with their WAI. This study sought to provide reference WAI data for Spanish PTs and to evaluate the association between PTs’ muscular fitness and WAI. Data on WAI of 1005 PTs were collected using a questionnaire. A subgroup (n = 68) performed a battery of physical tests including grip strength, push-ups and back-extension endurance. Associations between muscular fitness and WAI were evaluated using logistic regression controlling for various confounders. PTs aged 50 years or older had lower WAI scores than their younger counterparts. PTs with high back-extension endurance scored 3.5 (95% CI) higher in the WAI than those with low endurance. No associations were found between grip strength or number of push-ups and WAI. Our findings seem to highlight the importance of muscular fitness in PTs, especially the back-extension endurance.

scholarly journals Do work ability and life satisfaction matter for return to work? Predictive ability of the work ability index and life satisfaction questionnaire among women with long-term musculoskeletal pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamunur Rashid ◽  
Marina Heiden ◽  
Annika Nilsson ◽  
Marja-Leena Kristofferzon
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Ability Index

Abstract Background Impaired work ability and reduced life satisfaction due to long-term musculoskeletal pain, particularly in neck, shoulders and back, are considered occupational health problems that can result in workers taking sick leave. The aim of the study was to determine whether work ability and life satisfaction predict return to work (RTW) among women with long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain, and to assess the ability of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) to discriminate between those who did RTW and those who did not RTW (NRTW). Methods This is a cohort study with 1-year follow-up. A survey was sent to 600 women receiving sick leave benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. In total, 208 women responded at baseline, and 141 at a 1-year follow-up. To identify whether work ability and life satisfaction predicted RTW, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with and without adjustment for type of work and pain intensity. To assess the discriminative ability of the WAI and the LiSat-11 for women who did RTW and those who did NRTW, receiver operating characteristic curves were fitted. Results Work ability predicted RTW, and the results remained significant after adjusting for type of work and pain intensity (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.22). Life satisfaction was not significant. The WAI at baseline adequately discriminated between RTW and NRTW after 1 year (Area under curve 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70–0.86), but the LiSat-11 did not. Conclusions This study supports a relationship between work ability and RTW among women on sick leave for long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain. The results indicate that the WAI, but not the LiSat-11, can discriminate between RTW and NRTW in the population under study. Although the discriminative ability of the WAI needs to be verified in new samples before it can be recommended for use in rehabilitation settings, we suggest that healthcare professionals consider how women perceive their work ability in order to better support them in their RTW.

scholarly journals Work Ability and Employment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Muscle Strength and Lower Extremity Function

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Berner ◽  
Sandra Haider ◽  
Igor Grabovac ◽  
Thomas Lamprecht ◽  
Karl Heinrich Fenzl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Lower Extremity Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Extremity Function ◽  
Knee Extensor Strength

Objective. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between muscle strength, lower extremity function, employment status, and work ability in RA patients. Methods. One hundred seropositive RA outpatients of working age were included in this cross-sectional study. Employment status was assessed by interview and work ability by the Work Ability Index-Single Item Scale (WAS). Muscle strength was determined using dynamometer measurement of isometric hand grip and knee extensor strength. Lower extremity function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Regression models estimate the association between unemployment, work ability and muscle strength, and lower extremity function, controlling for sociodemographic and disease-related factors. Results. Forty-one percent of the RA patients were not gainfully employed, and their median work ability had a good WAS value (7.00 [4.00-7.00]). Patients with better knee extensor strength (OR=1.07, 95% CI [1.02-1.12) and better physical performance (OR=1.71, 95% CI [1.18-2.49]) had a significantly better chance of gainful employment. The odds for hand grip strength remained significant when adjusted for sociodemographic (OR=1.5, 95% CI [1.00-1.09]), but not for disease-specific variables. Better hand grip strength (β=0.25, p=0.039) and better knee extensor strength (β=0.45, p=0.001) as well as better lower extremity function (SPPB) (β=0.51, p<0.001) remained significantly associated with work ability following adjustment for sociodemographic and disease-specific variables. Conclusions. The association of employment status and work ability with parameters of physical fitness suggests that improvement in muscle strength and lower extremity function may positively influence work ability and employment in individuals with RA.

Trent'anni di work ability e venti di age management

2012 ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
Juhani Ilmarinen
Keyword(s):  
Work Ability ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Ability Index

La work ability e l'age management vantano una lunga storia in Finlandia. La ricerca sulla work ability ha preso avvio nei primi anni '80, con l'obiettivo di studiare quanto a lungo le persone sono in grado di lavorare. Poiché i manager rive- stono il ruolo centrale nel determinare i cambiamenti della work ability, all'inizio degli anni '90 č stato introdotto il concetto di age management. I piů recenti sviluppi delle attivitŕ realizzate in Finlandia si sono concentrati sulla realizzazione di indagini nazionali che utilizzano il work ability index e sullo sviluppo di soluzioni di training, coaching e consulenza rivolte alle organizzazioni. I trent'anni di esperienza sulla work ability e i venti sull'age management, che dalla Finlandia si sono estesi a diverse parti del globo, garantiscono oggi una base empirica alla dimostrazione della possibilitŕ di avere una vita lavorativa migliore e piů estesa.

scholarly journals The work ability index and functional capacity among older workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosimeire S. Padula ◽  
Maria L. C. Comper ◽  
Suzana A. Moraes ◽  
Catherine Sabbagh ◽  
Wagner Pagliato Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Ability Index
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