BACKGROUND: A job requiring stooping, lifting, carrying loads and multiple
repetitions of the same movement patterns leads to overloading the musculoskeletal
system.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the work-related load
experienced by physiotherapists and the occurrence of the musculoskeletal system
overload.
METHODS: The study included 108 young physiotherapists, 69 women and 39 men,
aged from 25 to 35 years (mean 27.12 ± 3.72 years). The study used an anonymous
questionnaire and Quick Exposure Check.
RESULTS: The most common musculoskeletal complaints were as follows: 70
physiotherapists (64.8%) reported low back pain, 60 (55.6%) cervical pain, and 34 (31.5%)
pain in the wrists and fingers. Statistically significant positive correlations were
revealed between the number of years worked in the profession and shoulder pain. The
number of hours of work per week was positively correlated with the occurrence of pain in
all analyzed body areas. Professional experience was negatively correlated with the level
of stress felt. Physiotherapists dealing with manual therapy and exercise physiotherapy
were particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal overload.
CONCLUSIONS: Popularization of knowledge regarding ergonomics among
physiotherapists could reduce the occurrence of musculoskeletal overload.
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