title: Does age matter in predicting musculoskeletal disorder risk? An analysis of workplace predictors over 4 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major workplace issue. With increasing pressure to extend working lives, predictors of MSD risk across all age groups require accurate identification to inform risk reduction strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2005 and 2009, a survey was conducted in a Finnish food processing company (N = 734). Data on workplace physical and psychosocial hazards, work ability, job satisfaction and lifestyle-related variables were collected, and MSD risk was measured through assessment of work-related strain in four body areas. Predictors of MSD risk across three age groups (20-35, 36-49, 50+) were assessed with linear regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical hazards and MSD risk were related differently for each age group. The relationship between psychosocial hazards and MSD risk was less clear. For younger workers, physical hazards were not associated with MSD risk. In contrast, for those aged 36-49, repetitive movements (B = 1.76, p < 0.001) and awkward postures (B = 1.30, p = 0.02) were associated with increased MSD risk. For older workers, environmental hazards were positively associated with MSD risk (B = 0.37, p = 0.04). Predictors of MSD risk changed differently for each age group during 4 years of follow-up. For younger workers, change in environment and repetitive movements, for middle age team support and for older workers change in awkward posture were significant predictors of MSD risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the need for workplace-specific hazard surveillance data. This will ensure that all contributing factors to MSD risk can be accurately identified and controlled independent of age.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ergonomics, and Human Factors, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia. J.Oakman@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oakman
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Subas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neupane
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Clas-Håkan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nygård
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ageing; MSD risk; Musculoskeletal disorders; Physical hazards; Psychosocial hazards; Risk management; Work environment