Objectives. To study the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among farmers as compared to rural referents and to evaluate the effects of physical work exposures, psychosocial factors, lifestyle and comorbidity. Material and methods. A cross-sectional population-based survey of 1013 farmers and 769 matched referents was performed. Data on various symptoms, consultations and sick leave and information on primary health care and hospital admissions were obtained along with information on physical workload, psychosocial factors and lifestyle. Results. The farmers reported higher lifetime prevalence of symptoms from hands and forearms, low back and hips as compared to the referents. However, the farmers did not seek medical advice more often than the referents, and they reported significantly fewer sick leaves. After adjustment for the influence of physical work exposure, farmers still had a excess rate of low back pain (LBP) and hip symptoms as compared with the referents, while a lower rate of neck-shoulder symptoms was revealed. Several of the psychosocial variables were associated with LBP but the difference in LBP prevalence between farmers and referents could only be explained to some extent. LBP was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms other than LBP and with chest discomfort, dyspepsia, symptoms from mucous membranes, skin problems, work-related fever attacks, and primary care for digestive disorders. Presence of both respiratory and digestive disorders doubled the LBP prevalence. Conclusions. Symptoms from hips and low back were more frequent among farmers than among referents, but farmers did not seek more health care and reported fewer sick leaves than referents. Physical work exposure and psychosocial factors did not explain the differences in low back and hip symptoms between the two groups. Significant associations between LBP and digestive and respiratory disorders might indicate that these disorders may have etiological factors in common.

Background: A boy child born in a Gothenburg suburb has a life expectancy that is nine years shorter than that of another child just 23 km away, and among girls the difference is five years. There is no necessary biological reason to this observed difference. In fact, like life length, most diseases follow a social gradient, even in a country like Sweden where many believe there is no class inequity. This social inequity in health tells us that some of us are not achieving our potential in health or in life length compared to our more fortunate fellow citizens. Aim: This thesis attempts to explore the patterns of health inequities and the pathways by which health inequities develop from a life course and gender perspective. In particular focuses on the importance of material, behavioural, health related and psychosocial circumstances from adolescence to adulthood in explaining social inequity in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), obesity, smoking, and social mobility. Method: All four papers of this thesis were based on quantitative analyses of data from a 14-year follow-up study. The baseline survey was conducted in 1981 in Luleå, Sweden. The survey included all 16-year-old pupils born in 1965. A total of 1081 pupils (575 boys and 506 girls) were surveyed. They were followed up at ages 18, 21 and 30 years with comprehensive self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 96.5% throughout the 14-year follow-up. In addition to the questionnaires data, school records, and interviews with nurse and teachers’ were used. Results: There were no class or gender differences in MSDs and in obesity during adolescence, but significantly more girls than boys were smokers. Class and gender differences had emerged when they reached adulthood with more women reporting to have MSDs but more men being overweight and obese. Women continued to be smokers at a higher rate than men through to adulthood. When an intersection between class and gender was considered, a more complex picture emerged. For example, not all women had higher prevalence of MSDs or smoked more than men, rather men with high socioeconomic position (SEP) had lower prevalences of MSDs and smoking than women with high SEP; and these high SEP women had lower prevalences than men with low SEP. The worst-off group was women with low SEP. The obesity pattern was quite the contrary, where women with high SEP had a lower prevalence of obesity than women with low SEP; and these low SEP women had a lower prevalence than men with high SEP. The worst-off group was men with low SEP. Regarding social mobility, health status (other than height in women) and ethnic background were not associated with mobility either for men or women. The results indicated that unequal distribution of material, psychosocial, health and health related behavioural factors during adolescence, young adulthood and adulthood accounted for the observed social gradients and social mobility. However, several factors from adolescence appeared to be more important for women while recent factors were more important for men. Important adolescent factors for social inequity and downward mobility were: unfavourable material circumstances defined as low SEP of parent, unemployed family member, and had no own room during upbringing; unfavourable psychosocial circumstances defined as parental divorce, poor contact with parents, being less liked in school, and low school control; and poor health related behaviour defined as smoking and physical inactivity. Among these factors, being less liked in school showed consistent association with all outcome measures of this thesis. Being less liked by the teachers and students was found to be more common among adolescents whose parents had low SEP. Men and women who were less liked in school during their adolescence were more likely as adults to be smokers, obese (only women), and downwardly mobile. The dominant adult life factor that contributed to class inequity in MSDs for men and women was physical heavy working conditions, which attributed to an estimated 46.9% (women) and 49.5% (men) of the increased risk in MSDs of the lower SEP group. High alcohol consumption among men with low SEP was an additional factor that contributed to class inequities in health and social mobility. Conclusion: Social patterning of health in this cohort was gendered and age specific depending on the outcome measures. Unfavourable school environment in early years had long lasting negative influence on later health, health behavior and SEP. The thesis supports the notion of accumulation of risk that social inequities in health occurs due to accumulation of multiple adverse circumstances among the lower SEP group throughout their life course. Schools should be used as a setting for interventions aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequities in health. The detailed policy implications for reduction of social inequities in health among men and women are discussed.

Professional orchestral string musicians represent a population at risk for performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD). Research literature suggests the influence of stress in the incidence of work-related and performance-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the role of holistic health (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social) and stress management in the prevention of PRMDs in professional orchestral string musicians. Five musicians representing different instruments, genders, and PRMD histories were recruited and sorted from a single professional orchestra in Canada. This study combined quantitative data - in the form of basic demographic information and a Health and Well-being Assessment - with qualitative interview data. This combined data provided a focused, in-depth view of typical instances in the professional orchestral string population. The musicians reported a variety of occupational and non-occupational risk factors, as well as a range of intrinsic risk factors. They also reported a variety of PRMD prevention strategies and lifestyle behaviours. The musicians in this study provide evidence that stress may play a mediating role in PRMDs and that the management of biomechanical and psychosocial stressors through holistic health practices may positively influence the incidence, severity, and treatment of PRMDs in orchestral string musicians. This dissertation recommends that increased awareness and education in holistic health practices be encouraged for the purpose of improved PRMD prevention in professional orchestral string musicians.

Professional orchestral string musicians represent a population at risk for performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD). Research literature suggests the influence of stress in the incidence of work-related and performance-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the role of holistic health (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social) and stress management in the prevention of PRMDs in professional orchestral string musicians. Five musicians representing different instruments, genders, and PRMD histories were recruited and sorted from a single professional orchestra in Canada. This study combined quantitative data - in the form of basic demographic information and a Health and Well-being Assessment - with qualitative interview data. This combined data provided a focused, in-depth view of typical instances in the professional orchestral string population. The musicians reported a variety of occupational and non-occupational risk factors, as well as a range of intrinsic risk factors. They also reported a variety of PRMD prevention strategies and lifestyle behaviours. The musicians in this study provide evidence that stress may play a mediating role in PRMDs and that the management of biomechanical and psychosocial stressors through holistic health practices may positively influence the incidence, severity, and treatment of PRMDs in orchestral string musicians. This dissertation recommends that increased awareness and education in holistic health practices be encouraged for the purpose of improved PRMD prevention in professional orchestral string musicians.

Malgré des années de recherches sur la douleur et les incapacités chroniques, peu de conclusions claires émergent quant aux facteurs de risque les plus pertinents. La majorité des auteurs s’entendent toutefois sur un fait, les troubles musculo-squelettiques et l’adaptation à leurs nombreuses conséquences est un processus complexe, multidimensionnel et déterminé par l’interaction de facteurs biopsychosociaux. Deux articles sont présentés avec comme objectifs généraux d’identifier les déterminants importants de l’ajustement à un trouble musculo-squelettique. Le premier article consiste en une recension des écrits systématique visant à résumer tous les facteurs pronostiques biopsychosociaux de l’ajustement multidimensionnel aux troubles musculo-squelettiques et examinant leur pertinence à déterminer ces divers indicateurs d’ajustement, principalement la participation au travail, les limitations fonctionnelles, la douleur, la qualité de la vie, la détresse psychologique et la rechute. Les 105 études prospectives recensées et correspondant aux critères d’inclusion et d’exclusion ont été analysés et chaque association significative a été résumée. Par la suite, 68 études qui ont inclus des facteurs sociodémographiques, biologiques, psychologiques et sociaux ont été analysées séparément. Leur qualité méthodologique a été évaluée, un niveau d’évidence a par la suite été établi pour chaque association entre les facteurs de risque et les diverses variables de résultats. Les divergences dans ces associations entre les différentes phases de chronicité ont également été identifiées. Un niveau d’évidence élevée a été découvert concernant le rôle des attentes de rétablissement, certaines pratiques de gestion intégrées de l’incapacité, les stratégies d’adaptation (coping), la somatisation, la comorbidité, la durée de l’épisode symptomatique et un niveau modéré d’évidence a été découvert pour les comportements de douleur. Lorsque vient le temps de prédire les divers indicateurs d’ajustement de sujets souffrant de troubles musculo-squelettiques, chacun tend à être associé à des facteurs de risque différents. Peu de différences ont été relevées lorsque les phases de chronicité ont été prises en compte. Ces résultats confirment la nature biopsychosociale de l’ajustement aux troubles musculo-squelettiques bien que les facteurs psychosociaux semblent être prédominants. Le second article est une étude prospective avec un suivi de 2 et 8 mois. Elle a été menée auprès de 62 travailleurs accidentés, principalement en phase de chronicité et prestataires d’indemnités de revenu de la CSST (Commission en Santé et Sécurité du Travail du Québec). L’objectif de cette étude était d’identifier les déterminants de l’engagement actif dans un processus de retour a travail par opposition à l’incapacité chronique, tout en adoptant une approche biopsychosociale. Cet objectif a été poursuivi en faisant l’étude, d’une part, de la pertinence de facteurs de risque ayant déjà fait l’objet d’études mais pour lesquelles aucun consensus n’est atteint quant à leur utilité prédictive et d’autre part, de certains facteurs de risque négligés, voire, même omis de ce domaine de recherche. Suite à des analyses multivariées, le genre, les attentes de rétablissement en terme de capacité à retourner au travail et l’importance du travail ont été identifiés comme des déterminants de l’incapacité chronique liée au travail. Après 8 mois, l’âge, la consolidation médicale, les symptômes traumatiques, le support au travail et l’importance du travail ont été également identifiés comme des déterminants d’incapacité chronique liée au travail. Ces résultats démontrent l’importance d’aborder l’étude de l’incapacité chronique et de la réinsertion professionnelle selon une perspective multidimensionnelle. Ces résultats corroborent également les conclusions de notre recension des écrits, puisque les facteurs psychosociaux ont été identifiés comme étant des déterminants importants dans cette étude. / Despite years of research on chronic pain and disability, there is yet little consensus on a core set of risk factors. One thing that most agree on, is the fact that musculoskeletal disorders and the adjustment to its consequences is a complex, multidimensional process determined by biopsychosocial factors interacting with one another. Two articles are presented with the overall goal of identifying significant determinants of adjustment to musculoskeletal disorders. The first article is a systematic literature review that aimed at reviewing all pertinent biopsychosocial prognostic factors of adjustment to musculoskeletal disorders and assessed their relevance in predicting multidimensional outcomes, namely work participation, functional disability, pain, quality of life, psychological distress and recurrence. The 105 prospective studies identified and fitting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed and all significant associations were summarized. Then, 68 studies that included sociodemoraphic and biopsychosocial risk factors were separately analysed for their methodological quality, level of evidence (LOE) was established for each association between risk factors and outcome variables and existing differences were highlighted between phases of chronicity. Strong evidence was found for recovery expectations, coping, somatization, comorbidity, duration of episode, disability management and moderate evidence was found for pain behaviours. When it comes to predicting different outcomes reflecting the adjustment process of subjects with musculoskeletal disorders, each tends to have a different set of predictors. Few significant differences were found according to phases of chronicity. These results support the biopsychosocial nature of the adjustment to musculoskeletal disorders with a predominance of psychosocial determinants. The second article is a prospective study with follow-ups at 2 and 8 months and was conducted on a sample of 62 mostly chronic occupationally injured workers receiving compensation benefits from the CSST (Quebec Workers’ Compensation Board). The study aimed to identify determinants of active involvement in a return to work process while adopting a biopsychosocial approach. It did so by investigating the pertinence of previously studied risk factors but for which no consensus yet exists, but also by investigating the pertinence of previously neglected or even omitted risk factors. After multivariate analysis, gender, work recovery expectations and importance of work were predictive of work outcomes at 2 months. After 8 months, age, medical consolidation, trauma symptoms, work support and importance of work predicted work outcomes. The results show the importance of approaching chronic work disability from a multidimensional perspective, although corroborating our literature review’s findings that psychosocial variables appear to be more significant predictors in this study.

Introduction La santé est considérée comme un idéal, un objectif et un but à atteindre; pour l'améliorer, certains ergothérapeutes utilisent les approches habilitantes. Ces dernières démontrent des résultats positifs pour la prévention des troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS). Objectif L’objectif de cette recherche est de mesurer les effets d'un programme en partenariat pour la prévention des TMS dans une pharmacie communautaire. Méthodologie Un devis mixte (quantitatif, qualitatif et descriptif) avant-après avec un groupe témoin non équivalent est utilisé. Le recrutement des participants se fait sur une base volontaire. Ceux-ci sont âgés de 18 ans et plus (groupe expérimental (n = 18) et témoin (n = 17)) et occupent trois titres d'emplois distincts. Différentes mesures via des questionnaires et des entrevues sont prises avant et après l’intervention. L’intervention, quant à elle, comprend trois rencontres élaborées à partir des concepts de l’ergonomie. Résultats En lien avec les connaissances acquises et la mobilisation, une diminution des sensations douloureuses est constatée chez les participants du groupe expérimental. De même, pour ceux-ci, une tendance à la généralisation des connaissances est notée. Conclusion Inspirée des principes de la prévention, de l’ergonomie et de l’habilitation, cette recherche, malgré ses limites, permet de mieux documenter les effets d'un programme en partenariat en entreprise de services pour la prévention des TMS. / Introduction Health is regarded as an ideal, a goal to improve and to achieve; in order to enhance it some therapists using enabling approaches. The latter show positive results for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's). Objective The objective of this research is to measure the effects of a partnership program in a community pharmacy for the prevention of MSD's. Methodology A mixed design (quantitative, qualitative and descriptive) before and after with a non-equivalent control group is used. Participant recruitment is done on a voluntary basis. They are aged 18 years and over (experimental group (n = 18) and control (n = 17)) and occupy three distinct job titles. Different measures through questionnaires and interviews are taken before and after the intervention. The intervention, meanwhile, includes three session developed from the concepts of ergonomics. Results Results are related to the acquired knowledge and mobilization, and there is a decreased of pain sensation is measured among the participants of the experimental group. Similarly, for these participants, a disposition or proneness to generalize knowledge is observed. Conclusion Inspired by the principles of prevention, ergonomics and empowerment, this study, despite its limitations, allows to better document the effects of a program in partnership with business services for MSD's prevention.

Les troubles musculo-squelettiques du membre supérieur (TMS-MS) peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur l'autonomie d’une personne. À ce jour, il n’existe pas d’outils en français évaluant les limitations d'activités et les restrictions de participation, disposant de bonnes propriétés métrologiques et d'applicabilité dans un contexte clinique marqué par des contraintes de temps. L’Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI), qui présente de bonnes qualités métrologiques et applicabilité clinique adéquate, s'avère un outil intéressant pour les ergothérapeutes de par son approche centrée sur la personne. Toutefois, il n'était disponible qu'en anglais et en espagnol. La présente recherche, constituée de deux études, visait à adapter l’ULFI à la population canadienne française et à évaluer ses propriétés métrologiques et son applicabilité clinique. La première étude a examiné sa cohérence interne, sa validité convergente et son applicabilité clinique auprès de 50 patients bilingues atteints de TMS-MS. La seconde étude visait à analyser sa fidélité test-retest et sa sensibilité au changement auprès de 60 patients francophones. Les résultats ont révélé que l'ULFI-CF possède des propriétés métrologiques solides : une cohérence interne élevée (α de Cronbach = 0,93), une excellente fidélité test-retest (CCI = 0,87-0,95), une excellente validité convergente (r = 0,70-0,85) et une sensibilité au changement de bonne à excellente (tailles d'effet = 0,49-0,88 et r = 0,64 pour la section 1). L'ULFI-CF démontre également une bonne applicabilité clinique. En conclusion, l’ULFI-CF s’avère un outil pertinent pour les cliniciens œuvrant auprès d’une clientèle canadienne française souffrant d'un TMS-MS dans un contexte clinique marqué par des contraintes de temps. / Upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (UL-MSD) can negatively impact on patients' autonomy. There are no existing outcome measures available in French to assess activity limitations and participation restrictions caused by UL-MSD that have sound metrological properties and are applicable in a clinical context where clinicians have limited assessment time for each patient. The Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI), having good metrological qualities and clinical applicability, is a relevant tool for clinicians since it promotes a patient-centered approach. However, the tool was only available in English and Spanish until now. This research project included two studies and aimed at adapting the ULFI to the French Canadian population and to assess the metrological properties of the adapted version (ULFI-FC) and its clinical applicability. The first study examined its internal consistency, convergent validity and clinical applicability among 50 bilingual patients with UL-MSD. The second study aimed to analyse its test-retest reliability and responsiveness among 60 French-speaking patients. The findings revealed that the ULFI-FC possesses sound metrological properties: a high internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.93 for Part 1), an excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87-0.95), an excellent convergent validity (r = 0.70-0.85), and good to excellent responsiveness (effect size = 0.49-0.88; and r = 0.64 for Part 1), as well as good clinical applicability in a context where assessment time devoted to each patient is limited. In conclusion, the ULFI-CF is a relevant and attractive tool assessing activity limitations and participation restrictions for clinicians working with French Canadian UL-MSD patients in a busy clinical setting.

The work environment of today is synonymous with stress, fatigue and exhaustion. As a result, the incidence of workplace injury and disease is increasingly commonplace. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most common form of work–related ill–health. If the symptoms are not recognised and addressed early, serious and more chronic manifestations of the symptoms can emerge, subsequently affecting the quality and duration of a persons' working life. RSI also has significant implications for organisations in terms of lost productivity, drops in work quality and costly compensation claims. Although there is ongoing international research available concerning workplace injury and disease to inform business and the employee, there is less comprehensive and regularly updated research within the South African context. Considering employers can be held accountable for diseases that have arisen out of and in the course of an individual's employment, this research adds value in ascertaining the magnitude of RSI in South Africa. Bearing in mind international research has expanded its focus to include the potential influence of ergonomic and psychosocial factors in the development of RSI, it has become necessary to consider additional factors that may play a role in the development and maintenance of RSI. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the frequency of RSI experienced amongst South African employees; 2) examine the frequency of RSI across three well–being groups; and 3) identify whether there are significant differences across the three well–being groups. An availability sample (N = 15 664) was utilised to determine the frequency of experience of RSI in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the incidence of RSI symptoms for the total sample. Participants were then selected into groups based on their experience of vitality, work devotion and exhaustion (n = 4 411) in order to determine the frequency of RSI experienced for three well–being groups. ANOVA was used to determine if there were significant RSI differences between these three well–being groups. The results of this study highlight that RSI is prevalent amongst the South African population. Of those participants who responded 'sometimes' and 'frequently' (experiencing RSI), 47% indicated experiencing neck, shoulder and back discomfort, followed by 42% reporting eyestrain, and 24% muscle stiffness. These results are comparable with international statistics, indicating that a relatively large percentage of South African employees experience RSI. The results further showed that the frequency of experience of RSI symptoms does differ across the three well–being groups. It is evident that RSI is more prevalent in the well–being group that demonstrates vital exhaustion when compared to those who are work engaged yet exhausted, and those who are truly work engaged. Secondly, the results clearly revealed statistically significant differences between all of these groups. Thus, those individuals who are vitally exhausted experience significantly greater RSI symptoms than those who are truly work engaged or engaged with exhaustion. In addition, those individuals who are work engaged with exhaustion demonstrate significantly more RSI symptoms than those who are truly work engaged. Thus, this study suggests the potential role of exhaustion in the development of RSI. Recommendations were made for the organisation and for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The work environment of today is synonymous with stress, fatigue and exhaustion. As a result, the incidence of workplace injury and disease is increasingly commonplace. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most common form of work–related ill–health. If the symptoms are not recognised and addressed early, serious and more chronic manifestations of the symptoms can emerge, subsequently affecting the quality and duration of a persons' working life. RSI also has significant implications for organisations in terms of lost productivity, drops in work quality and costly compensation claims. Although there is ongoing international research available concerning workplace injury and disease to inform business and the employee, there is less comprehensive and regularly updated research within the South African context. Considering employers can be held accountable for diseases that have arisen out of and in the course of an individual's employment, this research adds value in ascertaining the magnitude of RSI in South Africa. Bearing in mind international research has expanded its focus to include the potential influence of ergonomic and psychosocial factors in the development of RSI, it has become necessary to consider additional factors that may play a role in the development and maintenance of RSI. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the frequency of RSI experienced amongst South African employees; 2) examine the frequency of RSI across three well–being groups; and 3) identify whether there are significant differences across the three well–being groups. An availability sample (N = 15 664) was utilised to determine the frequency of experience of RSI in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the incidence of RSI symptoms for the total sample. Participants were then selected into groups based on their experience of vitality, work devotion and exhaustion (n = 4 411) in order to determine the frequency of RSI experienced for three well–being groups. ANOVA was used to determine if there were significant RSI differences between these three well–being groups. The results of this study highlight that RSI is prevalent amongst the South African population. Of those participants who responded 'sometimes' and 'frequently' (experiencing RSI), 47% indicated experiencing neck, shoulder and back discomfort, followed by 42% reporting eyestrain, and 24% muscle stiffness. These results are comparable with international statistics, indicating that a relatively large percentage of South African employees experience RSI. The results further showed that the frequency of experience of RSI symptoms does differ across the three well–being groups. It is evident that RSI is more prevalent in the well–being group that demonstrates vital exhaustion when compared to those who are work engaged yet exhausted, and those who are truly work engaged. Secondly, the results clearly revealed statistically significant differences between all of these groups. Thus, those individuals who are vitally exhausted experience significantly greater RSI symptoms than those who are truly work engaged or engaged with exhaustion. In addition, those individuals who are work engaged with exhaustion demonstrate significantly more RSI symptoms than those who are truly work engaged. Thus, this study suggests the potential role of exhaustion in the development of RSI. Recommendations were made for the organisation and for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:18:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRSP.pdf: 2033512 bytes, checksum: d5ddb9118edecd3afca2376359856f6d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-25 / Load handling activities impose great overloads on the musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of injuries. The fact that these handling activities are considered risky had led to several studies regarding load lifting, lowering, pulling and pushing. The results obtained certainly allowed many findings about influence of different variables on risk factors of these activities. However, other studies are needed, especially about risks by load carrying activities, since the literature has not dealt extensively with this topic. Thus, studies have been carried out about load handling, leading to 4 scientific papers. Study one aimed at comparing two groups of workers, with and without musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper limbs when they performed simulated tasks of handling techniques as to trunk movements and load support. Movements analysis was quantified by a flexible electrogoniometer and contact between load and trunk, by load cells. Nine asymptomatic and 10 symptomatic industrial workers were evaluated. An ANOVA was performed to compare results between symptomatic and asymptomatic workers. Most of the symptomatic workers supported the load on their trunk, whilst most of the asymptomatic did not. Higher values of lumbar flexion occurred for the symptomatic workers (p<0,05). The objective of the second study was ti describe trunk movements in sedentary subjects, and in workers with and without musculoskeletal symptoms, when carrying loads in simulated tasks. The 38 subjects who participated in this study were divided into 4 groups, consisting of 9 male students, 10 female students, 10 female symptomatic industrial workers and 9 asymptomatic industrial workers. The trunk movements of all subjects were recorded by biaxial back electrogoniometer when carrying loads between surfaces of different heights. An analysis of variance for repeated measures were performed, which was followed by the Duncan post hoc test for comparison of anthropometrical data between subjects, amplitude of movement, and time spent in each movement per group and per experimental condition. The height of the surfaces to which the loads were carried to or from, significantly influenced the trunk positions during handling (p<0,01), as if subjects were anticipating the target position whilst handling. Also more time was spent in flexion (p<0,01) than in extension. These aspects increase the risks of possible injury in such activities. The objective of the third study was to describe the kinds of grip used during handling activities of 5Kgf and 10 Kgf loads between surfaces of different height and to quantify flexion/extension movements and wrist radial and ulnar deviations quantified by electrogoniometry. Ten male volunteers participated in this study handled a box between surfaces of different heights. The activities was performed to evaluate significant differences between the anthropometry of volunteers´ hands and between movements used for load handling and different heights. The results showed that the surface heights to which the objects were handled significantly influenced (p=0,000) joint amplitudes, nevertheless there wasn t any difference in the movements for different load masses handled (p=0,43). Time over what is considered advisable was spent in radial deviation when handling involved high surfaces. The fourth study aimed at evaluating the anterior-posterior movements of the trunk and the time spent in task performance by experienced and inexperienced subjects during load handling activities to different target surfaces. The 36 subjects who participated in this study were healthy males, divided into groups of 16 and 20, experienced and inexperience respectively, in the performance of load handling activities. The activities consisted of carrying the 7Kg and 15Kg boxes from a surface at a fixed height to another at a variable height. Lumbar thoracic movements were quantified by a flexible electrogoniometer. Significant differences were found in the time spent to perform the handling between the groups (p<0,008) and between the loads (p<0,000). However, there was no significant difference in the trunk movemets between the groups (p>0,005) and the loads (p>0,005). Surfaces heights to which the box was transported significantly influenced trunks movements (p<0,000). / As atividades de manuseio de carga geram grandes sobrecargas ao sistema músculoesquelético, aumentando com isso os riscos de lesões. O fato dessas atividades de manuseio serem consideradas de risco fez com que muitos estudos fossem realizados considerando situações de levantamento, abaixamento, puxar e empurrar cargas. Os resultados obtidos certamente permitiram muitas descobertas sobre as diferentes variáveis envolvidas e os fatores de risco dessas atividades. Contudo, são necessidade outros estudos principalmente sobre os riscos gerados por atividades de carregamento de carga, já que a literatura cientifica aborda muito pouco essa temática. Assim, foram então realizados estudos sobre atividade de carregamento de carga que geraram 4 (quatro) artigos científicos. O objetivo do Estudo I foi comparar dois grupos de trabalhadores com e sem sintomas músculo-esqueléticos em membros superiores quando realizaram tarefas simuladas de manuseio, quanto aos movimentos do tronco e suporte da carga. A análise do movimento foi realizada por meio de um eletrogoniômetro flexível, o contato entre a carga e o tronco foi mensurado por meio de células de carga. Foram avaliados 9 trabalhadores assintomáticos e 10 sintomáticos. Para comparar os resultados entre sintomáticos e assintomáticos utilizou-se uma ANOVA. A maioria dos trabalhadores sintomáticos apoiou a carga no tronco enquanto que a maioria dos assintomáticos não. A amplitude de movimento de flexão lombar que ocorreram no grupo de trabalhadores sintomáticos foram bem maiores do que no grupo de assintomáticos (p<0,05). O objetivo do segundo estudo foi descrever os movimentos do tronco em indivíduos sedentários e em trabalhadores com e sem sintomas músculo-esqueléticos. Participaram do estudo 38 indivíduos sendo divididos em 4 grupos, 9 homens estudantes, 10 mulheres estudantes, 10 trabalhadoras sintomáticas e 9 trabalhadoras assintomáticas. Os movimentos do tronco foram registrados por um eletrogoniômetro biaxial de tronco durante o carregamento de carga para diferentes alturas de superfícies. Uma análise de variância ANOVA para medidas repetidas foi aplicada. Os resultados mostraram que a altura das superfícies para a qual a carga seria levada influenciou significativamente os movimentos do tronco (p<0,01) e que mais tempo foi gasto em movimentos de flexão quando comparados à extensão do tronco (p<0,01). O objetivo do terceiro estudo foi descrever os tipos de preensão empregados durante atividades de manuseio de cargas de 5 e 10Kgf entre superfícies de alturas diferentes e, quantificar os movimentos de flexão/extensão, desvio radial e ulnar do punho registrados por meio da eletrogoniômetria. Participaram 10 voluntários do sexo masculino que manusearam uma caixa entre superfícies de diferentes alturas. A atividade foi filmada para identificar os tipos de preensão empregados durante a tarefa. Uma análise de univariância foi utilizada para avaliar diferenças significativas entre a antropometria das mãos dos voluntários, e entre os movimentos utilizados para o manuseio de cargas para diferentes alturas. Os resultados mostraram que as alturas das superfícies para as quais as cargas eram manuseadas influenciaram significativamente (p=0,000) as amplitudes articulares, contudo não houve diferença significativa nos movimentos para as diferentes massas das cargas manuseadas (p=0,43). O gasto tempo acima das faixas de amplitude consideradas recomendáveis foi expressivo para os movimentos de desvio radial quando os manuseios envolviam superfícies altas. O quarto estudo objetivou avaliar os movimentos antero-posteriores do tronco e o tempo gasto na realização da tarefa, por indivíduos experientes e inexperientes, durante atividade de carregamento de cargas para diferentes superfícies alvo. Participaram do estudo 36 homens saudáveis, sendo 16 experientes e 20 inexperientes na realização da atividade de manuseio de carga. A atividade consistiu no transporte de caixa com massa de 7 e 15kg, partindo de uma superfície com altura fixa e depositavam a caixa em uma outra superfície de altura variável. Os movimentos da coluna tóraco-lombar foram registrados com um eletrogoniômetro flexível. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas no tempo gasto para realizar os manuseios entre grupos (p<0,008) e entre cargas (p<0,000). Contudo não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05). As alturas das superfícies para as quais a caixa era deslocada influenciaram significativamente os movimentos do tronco (p<0,000).