Biochemical indicators of hazardous shoulder-neck loads in light industry.
Prolonged, repetitive handling of light material is known to increase the risk of shoulder-neck disorders. Biological risk indicators related to musculoskeletal exposure, applicable by the general practitioner in the workplace, could provide an instrument for early intervention and rehabilitation. Eight women were studied, all full-time workers performing assembly tasks associated with a high prevalence of shoulder-neck complaints. All subjects were more tender in the shoulder region than young women in low-risk occupations. Heart rate recordings indicated a low general metabolic load during work. Concentrations in antecubital venous blood of several markers for metabolic stress and cellular damage (lactate, ammonia, hypoxanthine, urate, malondialdehyde, potassium, creatine kinase) were normal for all subjects, and showed no increase during 3 consecutive working days. Thus, the blood markers did not reflect hazardous shoulder-neck exposure.
Mathiassen
S E
SE
National Institute of Occupational Health, Division of Applied Work Physiology, Solna, Sweden.
Winkel
J
J
Sahlin
K
K
Melin
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D007042:Hypoxanthines / Q000097:blood; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019838:Neck Injuries; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D007042:Hypoxanthines; D007773:Lactates; D014527:Uric Acid; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000641:Ammonia; D011188:Potassium