Effects of an exoskeleton on muscle activity in tasks requiring arm elevation: Part I - Experiments in a controlled laboratory setting.

Background: Long-term work with elevated arms, or overhead work, is a risk factor for musculoskeletal complaints and disorders. Upper-limb exoskeletons are a promising tool for reducing occupational workload when working with hands above shoulder level.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of upper-limb exoskeleton on muscular and physical strain and perceived exertion during dynamic work at four different shoulder joint angles.

Relationship between occupational and leisure-time physical activity and the need for recovery after work.

Background: Health benefits of physical activity are very well acknowledged but the role of both occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in recovery after work is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between accelerometer-measured OPA and LTPA and the need for recovery after work (NFR) in early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals.

Methods: The study participants were 217 female ECEC professionals aged 17-64.

Diet and cardiovascular health in asymptomatic normo- and mildly-to-moderately hypercholesterolemic participants - baseline data from the BLOOD FLOW intervention study.

Background: For decades in Finland, intensive population strategies and preventive activities have been used to lower the risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD). Lifestyle changes, with the emphasis on diet, play an important role in preventive strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate arterial stiffness and endothelial function in asymptomatic free-living adults and to relate the results to CHD risk factors and lifestyle habits with the emphasis on diet.

Association between lowered endothelial function measured by peripheral arterial tonometry and cardio-metabolic risk factors - a cross-sectional study of Finnish municipal workers at risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association between lowered endothelial function measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) and cardio-metabolic risk factors. The study population consisted of Finnish municipal workers who were at risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease and who had expressed a need to change their health behaviour.

Methods: A total of 312 middle-aged municipal workers underwent a physical medical examination and anthropometry measurements.

The effects of plant stanol ester consumption on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: The hypocholesterolemic effect of plant stanol ester consumption has been studied extensively, but its effect on cardiovascular health has been less frequently investigated. We studied the effects of plant stanol esters (staest) on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults without lipid medication.

Methods: Ninety-two asymptomatic subjects, 35 men and 57 women, mean age of 50.

Thermal effects of mobile phone RF fields on children: a provocation study.

The aim of this study was to examine thermal and local blood flow responses in the head area of the preadolescent boys during exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields produced by a GSM mobile phone. The design was a double-blinded sham-controlled study of 26 boys, aged 14-15 years. The SAR distribution was calculated and modelled in detail.