scholarly journals Musculoskeletal disorders and the physical activity of territorial army soldiers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Grabara ◽  
Ewa Sadowska-Krępa

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among Polish territorial army soldiers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate whether there was a relationship between occupational physical activity (OPA), leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and MSD. Methods The study used a cross-sectional design with a sample of 373 territorial army soldiers ages 18–55 who had not previously suffered from COVID-19 and were not convalescents. The symptoms prevalence data was collected using the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. OPA and LTPA data was collected using the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR). Results The OPA, LTPA, and total physical activity (PA) among the studied soldiers was very diverse and the mean level of PA was relatively high. A total of 56 and 40% of territorial army soldiers had experienced pain or other discomfort in one or more of nine body regions during the past 12 months and during the past 7 days, respectively. The most common MSD among Polish territorial army soldiers were low back pain, followed by pain in the neck and knees. Conclusions The study revealed that the OPA of the studied soldiers, especially vigorous-intensity and high vigorous-intensity OPA, was associated with a higher prevalence of MSD in several regions of the body, i.e. the lower back, elbows, wrists or hands, hips or thighs, and ankles or feet. Along with the increase in energy expenditure on total PA, a greater percentage of respondents experienced low back pain. Vigorous and high vigorous-intensity PA may contribute to the occurrence of MSD.

Author(s):  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
Charlotte Lund Rasmussen ◽  
Jan Hartvigsen ◽  
Ole Steen Mortensen ◽  
Els Clays ◽  
...  

AbstractPurpose We lack knowledge on whether the advice of “being physically active” should be the same for prevention and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). Sickness absence is a key outcome for LBP prevention and rehabilitation. We investigated the associations between physical activity and long-term sickness absence (LTSA) among employees with and without LBP. Methods Between 2011 and 2013, 925 Danish employees wore a Actigraph GTX3 accelerometer for 1–5 workdays to measure physical activity and reported LBP in past 7 days. Employees were followed for 4 years to determine their first register-based LTSA event (≥ 6 consecutive weeks). Results Among employees with LBP, increasing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity at work by 20 min and decreasing the remaining behaviors at work (ie., sitting, standing and light-intensity activity) by 20 min was associated with 38% (95% CI 17%; 63%) higher LTSA risk. Increasing light-intensity activity at work by 20 min and decreasing 20 min from the remaining behaviors was associated with 18% (95% CI 4%; 30%) lower risk. During leisure, increasing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity by 20 min or standing by 40 min was associated with 26% (95% CI 3%; 43%) lower and 37% (95% CI 0%; 87%) higher risk, respectively. Among employees without LBP, we found no such associations. Conclusions The physical activity advice ought to be different for LBP prevention and rehabilitation to reduce LTSA risk, and specified by domain and activity intensity. At work, employees with LBP should be advised to spend time on light-intensity physical activity and limit their time on moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. During leisure, employees should spend time on moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Fujii ◽  
Hiroyuki Oka ◽  
Kenichiro Takano ◽  
Fuminari Asada ◽  
Takuo Nomura ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in nurses has been reported globally. Ergonomic factors and work-related psychosocial factors have been focused on as risk factors. However, evidence on the role of fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) concerning LBP in nurses is lacking. This study examined LBP prevalence and the association between FABs and chronic disabling LBP that interfered with work and lasted ≥ 3 months. Methods Female nurses (N = 3066; mean age = 35.8 ± 10.6 years) from 12 hospitals in Japan participated. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographics, LBP, work-related factors, and psychological distress. FABs about physical activity were assessed using a subscale from the FAB Questionnaire (score range = 0–24). The participants were asked to choose one of four statements regarding their LBP in the past 4 weeks: 1) I did not have LBP, 2) I had LBP without work difficulty, 3) I had LBP with work difficulty but without requiring absence from work, and 4) I had LBP requiring absence from work. If the participant had LBP in the past 4 weeks, it was also inquired if the LBP had lasted for ≥ 3 months. Chronic disabling LBP was defined as experiencing LBP with work difficulty in the past 4 weeks which had lasted for ≥ 3 months. In the nurses who had experienced any LBP in the past 4 weeks, we examined the association between FABs and experiencing chronic disabling LBP using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for pain intensity, age, body mass index, smoking status, psychological distress, hospital department, weekly work hours, night shift work, and the12 hospitals where the participants worked. Results Four-week and one-year LBP prevalence were 58.7 and 75.9%, respectively. High FABs (≥ 15) were associated with chronic disabling LBP (adjusted odds ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [1.21–2.57], p = 0.003). Conclusions LBP is common among nurses in Japan. FABs about physical activity might be a potential target for LBP management in nurses. Trial registration UMIN-CTR UMIN000018087. Registered: June 25, 2015.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Begum Nurun Nahar ◽  
GU Ashan ◽  
Nazmul A Khan

Low back pain (LBP) is common and affects most people at some point in their life. The exact cause of LBP among professional car drivers is still uncertain. Epidemiological studies of LBP have been performed among general populations and professional drivers in different countries; however the data on LBP in this professional category is scarce in Bangladesh. This paper investigates the prevalence of LBP among professional car drivers in Dhaka city and examines the relationship between back pain and years of driving, driving duration per day and the body weight of the drivers. A cross-sectional study was performed during December 2010 using a questionnaire and car drivers who experienced back pain for at least one day during the past 12 months were included in the study. The study demonstrated that 78% of car drivers reported LBP for at least one day during the past 12 months. The study also revealed age, daily and cumulative driving in drivers and stature are among the risk factors of LBP. Occupational health and safety management interventions should be implemented to prevent adverse health effects in professional car drivers.South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 60-62 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15267


Author(s):  
Seyed Sadegh Salehi Sadati ◽  
Hojat Allah Haghgoo ◽  
Zahra Mortazavi ◽  
Sahar Dehdar karsidani ◽  
Homa Naderifar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the main occupational and work-related diseases with different impacts on general health status of employees. Present study was performed for assessment of association between general health and musculoskeletal disorders among beekeepers of Boroujen.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, beekeepers were selected by census, in 2017. Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and general health questionnaire (GHQ28) were used to collect data. Then, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS- software.Results: Mean of Ggeneral health score was (51.25±12.92) which was suspected to have disorders, and  somatic, depression, social and anxiety indices were 12.4± 3.62, 11.43± 4.08, 14.05± 2.63 and 12.55± 4.15, respectively. Also, the most frequent  musculoskeletal symptom, during the past 7 days, during the past 12 months, the deterrence of work in the past year was low back pain and knee pain. Although mean of general health score in beekeepers was poorer than normal. No significant correlations were found between general health and musculoskeletal disorder (p-value>0.05). Age, BMI, work experience were risk factor for musculoskeletal disorder.Conclusion: Findings of our study showed that beekeepers were suspected to have general health disorders and the most frequent musculoskeletal disorder was low back pain and knee pain.


2019 ◽  
pp. 3-13
Author(s):  
Alexandru Cîtea ◽  
George-Sebastian Iacob

Posture is commonly perceived as the relationship between the segments of the human body upright. Certain parts of the body such as the cephalic extremity, neck, torso, upper and lower limbs are involved in the final posture of the body. Musculoskeletal instabilities and reduced postural control lead to the installation of nonstructural posture deviations in all 3 anatomical planes. When we talk about the sagittal plane, it was concluded that there are 4 main types of posture deviation: hyperlordotic posture, kyphotic posture, rectitude and "sway-back" posture.Pilates method has become in the last decade a much more popular formof exercise used in rehabilitation. The Pilates method is frequently prescribed to people with low back pain due to their orientation on the stabilizing muscles of the pelvis. Pilates exercise is thus theorized to help reactivate the muscles and, by doingso, increases lumbar support, reduces pain, and improves body alignment.


Author(s):  
Dr. Rangarajan B. ◽  
Dr. Muralidhara .

Gridhrasi (Sciatica) is a disorder in which low back pain is found, that spreads through the hip, to the back of the thigh and down the inside of the leg. Mechanical low back pain (LBP) remains the second most common symptom related reason for seeing a physician. 85% of total population will experience an episode of mechanical LBP at some point during their lifetime. Fortunately, the LBP resolves for the vast majority within 2-4 weeks. There are many causes for low back pain, however true sciatica is a symptom of inflammation or compression of the sciatica nerve. The sciatica nerve carries impulses between nerve roots in the lower back and the muscles and nerve of the buttocks, thighs and lower legs. Compression of a nerve root often occurs as a result of damage to one of the discs between the vertebrae. In some cases, sciatic pain radiate from other nerves in the body. This is called referred pain. Pain associated with sciatica often is severe, sharp and shooting. It may be accompanied by other symptom, such as numbness, tingling, weakness and sensitivity to touch. There is only conservative treatment giving short term relief in pain or surgical intervention with side effect. But these are not successful and therefore those who are suffering from this are always in search of result oriented remedy. Walking distance and SLR test were taken for assessment parameter, VAS score was adopted for pain. Before treatment patient was not able to walk even 4 to 5 steps due to severe pain, was brought on stretcher and his SLR was 30° of right side. After 22 days of treatment he was able to walk up to 500 meters without any difficulty, SLR was changed to 60° and patient had got 80 % relief in pain. This case report showed that Ayurvedic protocol is potent and safe in the treatment of Gridhrasi.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhamad Aizat Mat Ibrahim ◽  
Hasif Rafidee Hasbollah ◽  
Mohd Asrul Hery Ibrahim ◽  
Nor Dalila Marican ◽  
Muhd Hafzal Abdul Halim ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Van Eck

Study Design: Clinical PerspectiveObjective: To provide back care education for patients with low back pain. Background:  Understanding the internal and external forces the body issubjected to, as well as the spine’s response to these forces, can better equipphysiotherapists in educating patients with low back pain. Methods and Measures: The focus of the clinical perspective is to providephysiotherapists with clinically sound reasoning when educating patients. Results: Providing a patient handout, educating them in how to incorporate back care knowledge into their dailyactivities.Conclusion: Physiotherapists can play a significant role in empowering patients through education to take responsi-bility for their disability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Williams ◽  
Noelle M. Selkow

Context: Decreased hamstring flexibility can lead to a plethora of musculoskeletal injuries, including low back pain, hamstring strains, and patellofemoral pain. Lack of flexibility may be the result of myofascial adhesions. The fascia connected to the hamstrings is part of the superficial back line that runs from the cranium to the plantar aspect of the foot. Any disruption along this chain may limit the flexibility of the hamstring. Objective: To investigate if self-myofascial release (SMR) of the plantar surface of the foot in addition to the hamstring group was more effective at improving the flexibility of the hamstrings when compared with either intervention alone. Design: Cross-over study. Setting: Athletic training facility. Participants: Fifteen college students (5 males and 10 females; age: 20.9 [1.4] y, height: 173.1 [10.3] cm, mass: 80.0 [24.9] kg) who were not older than 30, with no history of low back pain or injury within the past 6 months, no history of leg pain or injury within the past 6 months, no current signs or symptoms of cervical or lumbar radicular pain, no current complaint of numbness or tingling in the lower-extremity, and no history of surgery in the lower-extremity or legs. Interventions: Each participant received each intervention separated by at least 96 hours in a randomized order: hamstring foam rolling, lacrosse ball on the plantar surface of the foot, and a combination of both. Main Outcome Measures: The sit-and-reach test evaluated hamstring flexibility of each participant before and immediately after each intervention. Results: There were no significant differences found among the SMR techniques on sit-and-reach distance (F2,41 = 2.7, P = .08, ). However, at least 20% of participants in each intervention improved sit-and-reach distance by 2.5 cm. Conclusions: SMR may improve sit-and-reach distance, but one technique of SMR does not seem to be superior to another.


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