Assessment of physical work load in epidemiologic studies: concepts, issues and operational considerations.
Ergonomic epidemiology is a rapidly increasing field of research providing data on the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders and possible risk factors. The present paper states, on the basis of a literature overview, that physical work load (mechanical exposure) is poorly defined and measured in most studies on ergonomic epidemiology. On this background the paper: (1) suggests adjustments of mechanical exposure concepts and terminology; (2) concludes that invalid exposure assessment may, to a large extent, explain the lack of quantitative data on relationships between mechanical exposures and musculoskeletal disorders; and (3) suggests some guidelines for future quantitative assessments of mechanical exposure in large populations.
National Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Physiology, Solna, Sweden.
J
J
Winkel
S E
SE
Mathiassen
D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*