Working postures and physical activity among registered nurses

Publié le 22 novembre 2016 • Catégorie(s) : Risques physiques, Troubles musculo-squelettiques • Mot(s) clef(s) : personnel infirmier

Auteur    Mark C. Schall
Auteur    Nathan B. Fethke
Auteur    Howard Chen
Volume    54
Pages    243-250
Publication    Applied Ergonomics
ISSN    1872-9126
Date    May 2016
Résumé    Nurses report a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort, particularly of the low back and neck/shoulder. This study characterized the full-shift upper arm and trunk postures and movement velocities of registered nurses using inertial measurement units (IMUs). Intensity of occupational physical activity (PA) was also ascertained using a waist-worn PA monitor and using the raw acceleration data from each IMU. Results indicated that nurses spent a relatively small proportion of their work time with the arms or trunk in extreme postures, but had few opportunities for rest and recovery in comparison to several other occupational groups. Comparisons between nurses in different PA groups suggested that using a combination of accelerometers secured to several body locations may provide more representative estimates of physical demands than a single, waist-worn PA monitor. The findings indicate a need for continued field-based research with larger sample sizes to facilitate the development of maximally effective intervention strategies.