Association between muscle strength, upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers at a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders negatively affect ability to perform activities of daily living, self-care and work. Therefore, outcome measurements that address muscle strength, fatigue resistance, functionality and work physical capacity must be defined to assess and plan specific actions to minimize them. Objective To investigate the association of upper extremity muscle strength with upper extremity fatigue resistance, work ability and upper extremity dysfunction in a sample of workers from a tertiary hospital. Methods Shoulder and elbow isokinetic strength were assessed by Biodex System 4™, isometric hand grip by JAMAR™, upper extremity fatigue resistance by Functional Impairment Test Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA), ability to work by the Work Ability Index and upper extremity dysfunction by the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuickDASH-Br questionnaire. The Nordic questionnaire and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used for pain description. The associations were analysed by Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho) (p < 0.05). Results Twenty-seven participants: 59.2% women; mean age 46 years old; 70.3% obese/overweight; 62.9% active with predominantly dynamic muscle contraction work. Besides predominance of good to moderate work ability (81.4%) and comorbidities (37%), all participants had symptoms of the upper extremities for at least 12 months, with a predominance of low-intensity in the shoulder (55.5%). In addition, 88.8% reported pain in other segments. Muscle strength of abduction (rho = 0.49), adduction (rho = 0.40), internal rotation (rho = 0.44) and hand grip (rho = 0.68) presented moderate correlation with FIT-HaNSA. Hand grip (rho = − 0.52) showed moderate correlation with upper extremity dysfunction. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study suggested the association of shoulder strength with fatigue resistance. Also, hand grip strength was associated with upper extremity dysfunction and fatigue resistance. No association was found with the Work Ability Index in this sample. So, it is suggested that hand grip and shoulder strength could be outcome measurements used for future interventions focused on upper extremity preventive exercises to improve strength and fatigue resistance of workers at risk for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Other individual, psychosocial and organizational risk factors must also be considered as influences on upper extremity function.

Modifiable musculoskeletal factors and their association with shoulder function in adults: A systematic review of risk and association

“…Participants who were tested via physical testing (n = 5558), both female and male participants (F = 2441) and (M = 3117) were included [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][36][37].…”

Modifiable Musculoskeletal Factors and their Association With Shoulder Function in Adults: A Systematic Review of Etiology and Risk.

“…To assess the association between shoulder dysfunction and the presence of modi able musculoskeletal factors, the following studies were included in the current systematic review [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][36][37]. Several screening instruments was used for reporting the incidence of shoulder pain of the identi ed primary studies such as, visual analogue scale (VAS) [58, 62] overuse injury questionnaire [36] Nordic [63] and the Penn Shoulder Score [64].…”

“…Participants that were tested with physical testing (n = 5558), both female and male participants (F = 2441) and (M = 3117) were included [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][36][37].…”

The impact of inertial exercises performed in the workplace on shoulder muscles’ strength and muscles’ fatigue resistance in women with disabilities

“…There are positive relationships between shoulder abduction, adduction and internal rotation strength and upper extremity fatigue resistance. Also, hand grip strength was associated with upper extremity dysfunction and fatigue resistance [8]. Therefore, greater muscle strength results in greater fatigue resistance.…”