The influence of manual labor at work on muscular fitness and its relationship with work performance
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume
58
Issue
10
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Publication Date
10-1-2016
First Page
1034
Last Page
1039
Abstract
Objective: The present study examined the influence of workplace manual labor on measures of muscular fitness, with a secondary aim to investigate the relationship between muscular fitness and work performance in blue-collar (BC) workers. Methods: Leg extension isokinetic strength at slow and fast velocities, hamstring and hip-flexor flexibility, and low back muscular endurance were examined in young and older BC workers and white-collar (WC) controls, while work performance was examined in the BC cohort. Results: There were no differences in muscular fitness variables between BC and WC groups; however, the older men had lower low back muscular endurance (−43.0%) and strength at slow (−9.4%) and fast (−12.7%) velocities. Work performance was associated with strength at fast velocities (r = 0.633) in the older BC workers. Conclusions: Leg strength may influence work performance, with higher velocities becoming more important in older workers.
Recommended Citation
Ryan, E.D., Thompson, B.J., and Sobolewski, E.J. (2016). The influence of manual labor at work on muscular fitness and its relationship with work performance. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 58(10): 1034-1039.
