Using observation and self-report to predict mean, 90th percentile, and cumulative low back muscle activity in heavy industry workers.
Occupational injury research depends on the ability to accurately assess workplace exposures for large numbers of workers. This study used mixed modeling to identify observed and self-reported predictors of mean, 90th percentile, and cumulative low back muscle activity to help researchers efficiently assess physical exposures in epidemiological studies. Full-shift low back electromyography (EMG) was measured for 133 worker-days in heavy industry. Additionally, full-shift, 1-min interval work-sampling observations and post-shift interviews assessed exposure to work tasks, trunk postures, and manual materials handling. Data were also collected on demographic and job variables. Regression models using observed variables predicted 31-47% of the variability in the EMG activity measures, while self-reported variables predicted 21-36%. Observation-based models performed better than self-report-based models and may provide an alternative to direct measurement of back injury risk factors.
Trask
Catherine
C
CBF, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, SE-801 76 Gävle, Sweden. cmtrask@gmail.com
Teschke
Kay
K
Morrison
Jim
J
Village
Judy
J
Johnson
Peter
P
Koehoorn
Mieke
M
D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D019370:Observation; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis