Musculoskeletal health and work ability in physically demanding occupations: study protocol for a prospective field study on construction and health care workers

Musculoskeletal health and work ability in physically demanding occupations: study protocol for a prospective field study on construction and health care workers

BMC Public Health, October 2014

25318646

Lars-Kristian Lunde, Markus Koch, Stein Knardahl, Morten Wærsted, Svend Erik Mathiassen, Mikael Forsman, Andreas Holtermann, Kaj Bo Veiersted

Musculoskeletal disorders have a profound impact on individual health, sickness absence and early retirement, particularly in physically demanding occupations. Demographics are changing in the developed countries, towards increasing proportions of senior workers. These senior workers may have particular difficulties coping with physically demanding occupations while maintaining good health. Previous studies investigating the relationship between physical work demands and musculoskeletal disorders are mainly based on self-reported exposures and lack a prospective design. The aim of this paper is to describe the background and methods and discuss challenges for a field study examining physical demands in construction and health care work and their prospective associations with musculoskeletal disorders, work ability and sickness absence.