Changes in physical performance among construction workers during extended workweeks with 12-hour workdays.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes of physical performance during long working hours and extended workweeks among construction workers with temporary accommodation in camps.


METHODS
Nineteen construction workers with 12-h workdays and extended workweeks participated. Physical performance in the morning and evening of the second and eleventh workdays was tested by endurance, ability to react to a sudden load, flexibility of the back, handgrip strength and sub-maximal HR during a bicycle test. HR was registered throughout two separate workdays.


RESULTS
HR during each of the two separate workdays corresponded to a relative workload of 25%. Sub-maximal HR was lower, reaction time faster and handgrip strength higher in the end of each test day. In the end of the work period, sub-maximal HR was lower, reaction time faster and sitting balance was better.


CONCLUSIONS
No trends of decreased physical performance were found after a workday or a work period.
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Park Alle 105, 2100 Kbh Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark. AFH@NRCWE.dk
Anne
A
Faber
Jesper
J
Strøyer
Nis
N
Hjortskov
Bente
B
Schibye
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D018737:Hand Strength; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011930:Reaction Time; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors