Article

This is a longitudinal study in which industrial workers without chronic low back pain (LBP) were initially assessed with a comprehensive test battery and surveyed every 6 months thereafter for 2 years. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that may predispose industrial workers who lift over 5000 kg per shift to LBP. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Prospective studies are small in number and often limited in breadth or depth of the test battery, methodologic issues, or investigator expertise. There are no prospective studies that focus on a homogeneous work sample of industrial employees. METHODS: Production workers (n = 149) who volunteered for the 2-year study were assessed using physical measures (e.g., muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility), lifting kinematics (a sagittal plane box lift), and health, lifestyle, and work environment data (paper questionnaires). Follow-up questionnaires were distributed every 6 months for 2 years. RESULTS: Using self-report of LBP as the main outcome measure, eight variables predicted LBP in this sample with a 75% correct prediction rate. Predictor variables included age, thoracic acceleration during the trunk velocity test, median frequency intercept of electromyography of the right L3 erector spinae, quadriceps strength, quadriceps endurance, self-assessment of fitness, having a confidante, and number of medications currently taken. CONCLUSION: Results confirmed the multifactorial nature of low back pain and suggest that personal fitness is an important defense against low back pain, even in manual handling lifting tasks.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 2001217684