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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine an existing database of a large group of industrial workers in order to ascertain any gender differences in workplace and trunk kinematics factors, as well as in the risk of low back disorders (LBDs). We found that there is somewhat of a trade-off between the moment created by the object (and its weight) and the lift rate. Females tended to carry lighter-weight objects than their male counterparts; however, in general, they handled more objects per hour. Females also tended to have more maximum sagittal flexion, which also offset the effect of lower moment. However, the overall LBD risk was not significantly different between males and females. This gender-based interactive relationship among risk factors may have important implications on intervention strategies and exposure assessment methods in future epidemiological studies.

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Gender Differences in the Risk of Occupational Low Back Disorders

Abstract

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References