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dc.contributor.authorCoenen, Pieter
dc.contributor.authorKingma, I.
dc.contributor.authorBoot, C.
dc.contributor.authorBongers, P.
dc.contributor.authorVan Dieën, J.
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T13:57:12Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T13:57:12Z
dc.date.created2015-10-29T04:10:09Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.citationCoenen, P. and Kingma, I. and Boot, C. and Bongers, P. and Van Dieën, J. 2014. Cumulative mechanical low-back load at work is a determinant of low-back pain. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 71 (5): pp. 332-337.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36705
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/oemed-2013-101862
dc.description.abstract

Objectives: Reported associations of physical exposures during work (eg, lifting, trunk flexion or rotation) and low-back pain (LBP) are rather inconsistent. Mechanical back loads (eg, moments on the low back) as a result of exposure to abovementioned risk factors have been suggested to be important as such loads provide a more direct relationship with tissue failure and thus LBP. Since information on the effect of such load metrics with LBP is lacking yet, we aimed to assess this effect in a prospective study. Methods: Of 1131 workers, categorised into 19 groups, LBP was prospectively assessed over 3 years. Video and hand force recordings of 4–5 workers per group (93 in total) were used to estimate mechanical low-back loads (peak load and three cumulative load metrics, ie, linear weighted load, squared weighted load and load weighted to the tenth power) during manual materials handling (MMH) tasks using a video analysis method. These data were combined with static mechanical load estimates based on structured observation of non-MMH tasks. Associations of mechanical loads and LBP were tested using generalised estimating equations. Results: Significant effects on LBP were found for cumulative low-back moments (linear and squared weighted; both p<0.01 and ORs of 3.01 and 3.50, respectively) but not for peak and cumulative moments weighted to the tenth power. Conclusions: Results of this first prospective study on the effect of mechanical low-back load on LBP support a LBP aetiology model of cumulative loads, potentially due to accumulation of microdamage or fatigue. Therefore, prevention of LBP should focus on reducing cumulative low-back loads, especially in highly exposed occupational groups, for example, by reducing handling of heavy loads and working in awkward body postures.

dc.titleCumulative mechanical low-back load at work is a determinant of low-back pain
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume71
dcterms.source.number5
dcterms.source.startPage332
dcterms.source.endPage337
dcterms.source.issn1351-0711
dcterms.source.titleOccupational and Environmental Medicine
curtin.departmentSchool of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science
curtin.accessStatusFulltext not available


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