Examining the factorial structure, measurement invariance and convergent and discriminant validity of a novel self-report measure of work ability: work ability--personal radar.

Unlabelled: For identification of groups and domains for work ability promotion, brief self-report measure, work ability - personal radar (WA-PR), based on the 'the house of work ability' model is presented and psychometrically evaluated in the structural equation framework using data from technological sector (N = 3754). The house model had acceptable fit to the data. In addition, factor loadings in the model were invariant across groups, demonstrating metric invariance of the WA-PR.

A quasi-experimental study of the effects of the Erggi action model of musculoskeletal symptoms and VDU working conditions among university staff.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions of university workers with and without contact with an Erggi action model.

Methods: A quasi-experimental and longitudinal field study design examined effects of the Erggi action model with 3 types of questionnaires filled by 1000 university workers. The statistical analyses used logistic regression.

Effects of implementing an ergonomic work schedule on heart rate variability in shift-working nurses.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the psychophysiological strain related to a conventional shift schedule and new ergonomically improved two- and three-shift schedules using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The specific aim was to determine whether the introduced ergonomic shift arrangement had any positive effects on the psychophysiological strain such as increased HRV or decrease in the sympathovagal balance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Methods: Questionnaire data and 24-hour HRV recordings were gathered from 48 female shift-working nurses once while working the conventional shift schedule (baseline) and again after one year working an ergonomic shift schedule during the morning shift.

Differences in heart rate variability of female nurses between and within normal and extended work shifts.

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in heart rate variability (HRV) reflecting the function of autonomic nervous system (ANS) and psycho-physiological strain associated with normal and extended work shifts in nursing work. Complete data were available from 51 female nurses with a mean age of 40 yr, and based on two comparable 36-h HRV measurements supplemented with a questionnaire. Time-domain (meanRR, SDNN, RMSSD) and frequency-domain (LF power, HF power) parameters represented the HRV data, and were analyzed by linear mixed models.

Associations between work ability, health-related quality of life, physical activity and fitness among middle-aged men.

The Work ability of ageing work force is a matter of major concern in many countries. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived work ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to investigate their associations with age, physical activity and physical fitness in middle-aged men working in blue-collar occupations. The study population consisted of 196 middle-aged (aged 40-60 years) men (construction and industrial work) attending occupationally orientated early medical rehabilitation.

A new heart rate variability-based method for the estimation of oxygen consumption without individual laboratory calibration: application example on postal workers.

Traditionally, the estimation of oxygen consumption (VO2) at work using heart rate (HR) has required the determination of individual HR/VO2 calibration curves in a separate exercise test in a laboratory (VO2-TRAD). Recently, a new neural network-, and heart rate variability-based method has been developed (Firstbeat PRO heartbeat analysis software) for the estimation of VO2 without individual calibration (VO2-HRV). In the present study, the VO2-values by the VO2-HRV were compared with the values by VO2-TRAD in 22 postal workers.

Are cardiorespiratory fitness and walking performance associated with self-reported quality of life and work ability?

Objectives: In Finland, testing cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) is popular in health promotion programs and work ability evaluations. The most common instruments used for this purpose are the submaximal cycle ergometer test, and the 2-km walking test. However, limited data exist on the associations between VO2max and wellbeing in working age adults.

Effect of aerobic fitness on the physiological stress responses at work.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of aerobic fitness on physiological stress responses experienced by teachers during working hours.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six healthy female and male teachers aged 33-62 years participated in the study. The ratings of perceived stress visual analogue scale (VAS), and the measurement of physiological responses (norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and trapezius muscle activity by electromyography (EMG), were determined.

Factors associated with changes in perceived strain at work among fire-fighters: a 3-year follow-up study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate individual and work-related psychosocial factors associated with changes in the perceived physical and mental strain among fire-fighters.

Methods: The 3-year follow-up study, done by a questionnaire, was based on data on 632 fire-fighters. The associations were investigated mainly by logistic regression modelling.

Responses of the autonomic nervous system during periods of perceived high and low work stress in younger and older female teachers.

The aim of this study was to examine the response of the autonomic nervous system in younger (mean age 31 yrs, n=14) and older (mean age 54 yrs, n=14) healthy female teachers during work periods of perceived high and low stress. In the younger participants, heart rate, cortisol excretion rate and psychosomatic symptoms were significantly higher during the high work stress period. The older participants experienced no decrease in their heart rate and cortisol excretion during the low stress period and they exhibited no significant decrease in blood pressure after the work in the evening during both periods.

Psychophysiological stress in high school teachers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to follow psychophysiological stress over a year with four repeated measurements in full-time employed high school teachers and to compare their results with those obtained in the part-time retired teachers, gardeners and rescue workers.

Materials And Methods: The subjects consisted of 17 (10 females, 7 males) full-time and 9 part-time employed teachers (7 females and 2 males) in three high schools, 12 female gardeners and 13 male rescue workers. The data on job conditions, well-being, and psychosomatic symptoms were obtained by a questionnaire.

Evaluation of a step-test for assessing the cardiorespiratory capacity of workers in Thailand: a pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the accuracy of a simple step-test procedure supplemented by the measurement of heart rate (HR) (STEP1) to assess the cardiorespiratory capacity i.e., maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) of Thai workers.

Empowerment in farmers' occupational health services.

This study attempted to develop farmers' health and farmers occupational health services (FOHS) by examining the effects and feasibility of empowered farmers' teams on walk-through surveys of Finnish dairy farms. FOHS personnel of the health centre in three municipalities selected three farmer teams for the intervention group. Each team consisted of three or four couples.

Cardiorespiratory capacity of Thai workers in different age and job categories.

The objective of this study was to assess the cardiorespiratory capacity of Thai male and female blue-collar workers in different age and occupational categories. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 70 men and 56 women was assessed using a submaximal bicycle-ergometer test supplemented with ventilatory gas analyses. The age of the subjects varied from 16 to 55 years.

Ergonomics in practice: physical workload and heat stress in Thailand.

This study consists of assessments of the thermal environment and physiological strain in tasks associated with airport, construction, and metal jobs. The number of male and female participants was 108. Environmental heat stress was evaluated with the WBGT index.

Effects of Ergorest arm supports on muscle strain and wrist positions during the use of the mouse and keyboard in work with visual display units: a work site intervention.

The effects of Ergorest arm supports on wrist angles and musculoskeletal strain in the neck-shoulder-arm region and electrical activity in the shoulder and arm muscles were studied during typing or the use of the mouse in work with a visual display unit (VDU). Twenty-one women were randomized into 3 groups (1 arm support, 2 arm supports, and control). Measurements were carried out before and after the 6-week intervention.

Cardiorespiratory responses to fatiguing dynamic and isometric hand-grip exercise.

In occupational work, continuous repetitive and isometric actions performed with the upper extremity primarily cause local muscle strain and musculoskeletal disorders. They may also have some adverse effects on the cardiorespiratory system, particularly, through the elevation of blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to compare peak cardiorespiratory responses to fatiguing dynamic and isometric hand-grip exercise.

Physical activity, fitness and body composition of Finnish police officers: a 15-year follow-up study.

This study evaluated changes in the physical activity, fitness and body composition of 103 police officers during a 15-year follow-up. The absolute aerobic capacity was similar in 1981 and 1996, muscular performance had declined, and body weight had increased approximately 0.5 kg/year.

Work ability and job demands of aging white- and blue-collar workers in 1981 and 1996.

This study compared perceived work ability and job demands in 1981 and 1996. Two samples of municipal workers were formed by matching according to location (eastern Finland), occupational status (white- and blue-collar jobs), gender (men), and age (> or = 45 years). In 1981, 50 white-collar (mean age 51 [SD 3] years) and 214 blue-collar (mean age 51 [SD 4] years) workers responded.

Physiological strain during kitchen work in relation to maximal and task-specific peak values.

Six female and three male subjects from a hospital kitchen volunteered for the study. The subjects were working on a conveyor belt collecting and sorting dirty plates, glasses and cutlery for cleaning. In the study, a medical examination, a maximal clinical exercise test with a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a maximal arm cranking test were performed in the laboratory.

Heart rate and blood pressure responses to isometric exercise in young and older men.

The aim of this study was to examine the isometric endurance response and the heart rate and blood pressure responses to isometric exercise in two muscle groups in ten young (age 23-29 years) and seven older (age 54-59 years) physically active men with similar estimated forearm and thigh muscle masses. Isometric contractions were held until fatigue using the finger flexor muscles (handgrip) and with the quadriceps muscle (one-legged knee extension) at 20%, 40%, and 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Heart rate and arterial pressure were related to the the individual's contraction times.

Prediction of acceptable physical work loads based on responses to prolonged arm and leg exercise.

Nine healthy men (aged 54-59 years) performed arm crank and leg cycle exercises for 30 min at relative work loads of 50 and 75% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2) for the corresponding muscle group, and for 60 min at a relative work load of 30% of peak VO2 for the corresponding muscle group. In the tests, heart rate (HR), blood pressure, gas exchange variables, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate were measured. At the 75% target exercise level, four subjects interrupted the arm-cranking test, and one subject interrupted the leg-cycle test.

Cardiorespiratory and subjective responses to prolonged arm and leg exercise in healthy young and older men.

Ten young (aged 23-30 years) and nine older (aged 54-59 years) healthy men with a similar size of limb muscle mass performed arm crank and leg cycle exercise for 30 min at relative exercise intensities of 50% and 75% of maximal oxygen uptake for the corresponding muscle group. In the tests, heart rate, blood pressure, gas exchange variables, rating of perceived exertion and blood lactate concentration were measured. The limb muscle mass was determined by anthropometric measurements.

Rating of acceptable load in manual sorting of postal parcels.

The psychophysical test, the rating of acceptable load (RAL) were used to assess acceptable weights for dynamic lifting in postal workers engaged in sorting parcels. The standard test (RALSt) and a work-simulating test (RALW) were administered to 103 volunteers: all experienced male sorters. In the RALSt, subjects selected the weight which would be acceptable for lifting in a box with handles from table to floor and back to the table once every 5 min for the working day.