Physical and postural aspects of teachers during work activity

Abstract

Studies indicate that teachers constitute a professional segment, in which the work characteristics and the demands originating from the act of teaching, favor the emergence of sickness, concerning physical or emotional aspects. The present work aimed to describe physical and postural aspects during the working activity of teachers. A total of 120 elementary school teachers (1 st to 8 th grade) took part in the survey. For data collection, a questionnaire was applied: it included personal and occupational information, perception of discomfort and being off work; physical strength activities; posture at work and physical conditioning activities. The average age of teachers of the present sample corresponds to 35,8 years. In relation to activities which generate more physical strength, the answer none of the activities was predominant with 30 answers; followed by writing on the board, standing up during the period of classes, explanation of the subjects, class elaboration, correction of homework and others. The area of the body with higher amount of occurrences and prevalent discomfort referred to the lower limbs and spinal cord. These data inform the necessity of investing in prevention programs for the teachers, in order to develop strategies into the organizational context and interventions at the work environment.

Burnout among Swedish school teachers – a cross-sectional analysis

“…Accordingly, we used a broad approach that entailed assessing the psychosocial work environment (e.g. [ 7 , 8 ]), the physical workload [ 15 ], sociodemographic and life-style factors [ 16 ], sleep problems [ 17 ] and the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain [ 18 , 19 ]. This approach was informed by our previous experiences and our understanding of the bio-psycho-social-model that underlines that health and disease depend on many factors on different levels and on the interaction between them [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Burnout level in Iranian teachers and its related factors: A health promotion approach

“…Furthermore, health problems such as, voice problems, pain in their legs, due to staying on their feet during classes, and pain in the spinal cord. [ 22 ] Several researchers have reported that students’ satisfaction at school decreases as they grow older. Hence, in high school control of class is most difficult than other levels.…”

Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Teaching Profession

“…Preventive programmes are required for management of these disorders and this should ideally be at organizational level rather than individual level [7] and also use health promotion approaches to them prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI) [33]. Previous research speak to prevention measures to reduce back pain [24].…”

“…Psychosocial risk factors such as poor mental health, low supervisor or colleague support, low job satisfaction, high job stress and high psychological job demands have also been associated with development of MSDs [1]. Preventive programmes are required for management of these disorders and this should ideally be at organizational level rather than individual level [7].…”