Is an imbalance between physical capacity and exposure to work-related physical factors associated with low-back, neck or shoulder pain?
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates whether an imbalance between physical capacity and exposure to work-related physical factors is associated with low-back, neck, or shoulder pain.


METHODS
Data of the longitudinal study on musculoskeletal disorders, absenteeism, stress, and health (SMASH), with a follow-up of 3 years (N=1789), were used. At baseline, physical capacity (isokinetic lifting strength, static muscle endurance, and mobility of the spine) and exposure to work-related physical factors were assessed. During the follow-up, low-back, neck, and shoulder pain were self-reported annually. "Imbalance" was defined as lower than median capacity combined with higher than median exposure, "high balance" was high capacity and high exposure, and "low balance" was low capacity and low exposure.


RESULTS
For both the low-back and neck, imbalance between static endurance and working with flexed postures was a risk factor for pain [relative risk (RR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08-1.68, and RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.96-1.91, respectively]. Low balance was also associated with low-back pain (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.68). Furthermore, low balance between isokinetic lifting strength and lifting exposure was a risk factor for low-back and neck pain [RR between 1.22 (95% CI 0.99-1.49) and 1.35 (95% CI 1.03-1.79)]. No associations were found with shoulder pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Some relationship between low-back and neck pain and combined measures of physical capacity with exposure to work-related physical factors seems to exist, but an imbalance between physical capacity and exposure was not found to yield higher risks than high balance or low balance.
Hamberg-van Reenen
Heleen H
HH
Body@work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO Vumc, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Ariëns
Geertje A M
GA
Blatter
Birgitte M
BM
van der Beek
Allard J
AJ
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
van Mechelen
Willem
W
Bongers
Paulien M
PM
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*