Evaluating Progressive Overload Changes of the Musculoskeletal System in Automobile Industry Workers

Abstract

The formation of overload changes is a well-known concept. Numerous factors contributing to the development of progressive overload changes have also been described, including stress, performing repetitive movements, non-physiological working position, etc. [2][3][4]. Production line workers constitute an occupational group that is exposed to many of the above-mentioned risk factors. Therefore, the aim of our study is to establish the most common types of musculoskeletal overloads and to investigate the effect of upper extremity overload changes in the lumbosacral spine. A survey was conducted on 111 foundry and assembly workers. Information on the location, type and intensity (VAS scale) of pain was collected. The men also defined their job seniority, type of work, number of repetitive movements performed and knowledge of work ergonomics. Pain of the highest intensity was experienced by the workers in the lumbar and cervical spine and the shoulder joints. Results of the study also show that there is a correlation between lumbar and cervical pain on the one hand, and pain in subsequent joints of the upper extremity on the other. Repeated pain episodes may also reflect the progressive nature of the overload changes.

The use of electromyography and kinematic measurements of the lumbar spine during ergonomic intervention among workers of the production line of a foundry

“…All procedures were conducted according to the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. All subjects filled in a questionnaire ( Błaszczyk et al, 2020 ) and reported musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lumbar spine ( Table 2 ). The seniority of each subject at a particular position was at least 5 years ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Signals from the following 5 muscles were recorded bilaterally: erector spinae (ES), latissimus dorsi (LD), lower trapezius (LT), middle deltoideus (MD) and pectoralis major (PM). The examined muscles were identified in a pilot study based on a survey ( Błaszczyk et al. 2020 ).…”

“…Workers performing manual lifting often excessively load the lower back, thereby putting themselves at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injuries ( Jakobsen et al., 2018 ). Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common type of pain reported by workers in the automotive industry ( Błaszczyk et al., 2020 ). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders also have direct negative economic consequences such as temporary disability/absence from work or early retirement ( Andersen et al., 2012 ; Bevan et al., 2009 ).…”

“…The foundry’s production line workers move and put away heavy objects (10 kg), bending their spine up to 300 times a day. Additionally, they perform manual activities and torsional movements of the spine ( Błaszczyk et al., 2020 ).…”

Acute Effects of a Combined Strength and Endurance Training Rehabilitation Protocol for Patients in Different Professions with Back Pain

“…Muscular imbalances are largely caused by one-sided loads and non-physiological posture patterns as well as sedentary lifestyles and obesity [10,11]. If physical activity and weight reduction can also lead to an improvement in the pain situation what has been demonstrated earlier [12,13], non-physiological stress and posture patterns are often due to occupational activities which, due to the specific occupational requirements, can often not or only partially be corrected [14][15][16][17][18].…”