TY - JOUR

T1 - Physical activities at work and risk of musculoskeletal pain and its consequences

T2 - protocol for a study with objective field measures among blue-collar workers

AU - Jørgensen, Marie Birk

AU - Korshøj, Mette

AU - Lagersted-Olsen, Julie

AU - Villumsen, Morten

AU - Mortensen, Ole Steen

AU - Skotte, Jørgen

AU - Søgaard, Karen

AU - Madeleine, Pascal

AU - Thomsen, Birthe Lykke

AU - Holtermann, Andreas

PY - 2013/7/20

Y1 - 2013/7/20

N2 - BACKGROUND: Among blue-collar workers, high physical work demands are generally considered to be the main cause of musculoskeletal pain and work disability. However, current available research on this topic has been criticised for using self-reported data, cross-sectional design, insufficient adjustment for potential confounders, and inadequate follow-up on the recurrent and fluctuating pattern of musculoskeletal pain. Recent technological advances have provided possibilities for objective diurnal field measurements of physical activities and frequent follow-up on musculoskeletal pain.The main aim of this paper is to describe the background, design, methods, limitations and perspectives of the Danish Physical Activity cohort with Objective measurements (DPhacto) investigating the association between objectively measured physical activities capturing work and leisure time and frequent measurements of musculoskeletal pain among blue-collar workers.METHODS/DESIGN: Approximately 2000 blue-collar workers are invited for the study and asked to respond to a baseline questionnaire, participate in physical tests (i.e. muscle strength, aerobic fitness, back muscle endurance and flexibility), to wear accelerometers and a heart rate monitor for four consecutive days, and finally respond to monthly text messages regarding musculoskeletal pain and quarterly questionnaires regarding the consequences of musculoskeletal pain on work activities, social activities and work ability for a one-year follow-up period.DISCUSSION: This study will provide novel information on the association between physical activities at work and musculoskeletal pain. The study will provide valid and precise documentation about the relation between physical work activities and musculoskeletal pain and its consequences among blue-collar workers.

AB - BACKGROUND: Among blue-collar workers, high physical work demands are generally considered to be the main cause of musculoskeletal pain and work disability. However, current available research on this topic has been criticised for using self-reported data, cross-sectional design, insufficient adjustment for potential confounders, and inadequate follow-up on the recurrent and fluctuating pattern of musculoskeletal pain. Recent technological advances have provided possibilities for objective diurnal field measurements of physical activities and frequent follow-up on musculoskeletal pain.The main aim of this paper is to describe the background, design, methods, limitations and perspectives of the Danish Physical Activity cohort with Objective measurements (DPhacto) investigating the association between objectively measured physical activities capturing work and leisure time and frequent measurements of musculoskeletal pain among blue-collar workers.METHODS/DESIGN: Approximately 2000 blue-collar workers are invited for the study and asked to respond to a baseline questionnaire, participate in physical tests (i.e. muscle strength, aerobic fitness, back muscle endurance and flexibility), to wear accelerometers and a heart rate monitor for four consecutive days, and finally respond to monthly text messages regarding musculoskeletal pain and quarterly questionnaires regarding the consequences of musculoskeletal pain on work activities, social activities and work ability for a one-year follow-up period.DISCUSSION: This study will provide novel information on the association between physical activities at work and musculoskeletal pain. The study will provide valid and precise documentation about the relation between physical work activities and musculoskeletal pain and its consequences among blue-collar workers.

KW - Clinical Protocols

KW - Disability Evaluation

KW - Exercise Test

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Motor Activity/physiology

KW - Musculoskeletal Pain/epidemiology

KW - Occupational Diseases/complications

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Research Design

KW - Risk Assessment

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Self Report

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Work

KW - Workload

KW - Workplace

U2 - 10.1186/1471-2474-14-213

DO - 10.1186/1471-2474-14-213

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23870666

VL - 14

SP - 213

JO - B M C Musculoskeletal Disorders

JF - B M C Musculoskeletal Disorders

SN - 1471-2474

ER -