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.

Assessment of Physical Load at Work Sites: A Finnish-German Concept.

The aim of this article is to introduce a set of work physiology methods for the assessment of physical load at the work site and to consider (a) their relevance for different types of muscular work, and (b) their feasibility for occupational health and safety practitioners. The results of an ergonomic intervention study for the reduction of workload associated with various manual materials handling tasks were used for the evaluation of the feasibility and sensitivity of the measurements of heart rate, the Edholm and OWAS methods, and the ratings of overall and local perceived exertion. The methods proved feasible, although time consuming, and their sensitivity for the quantification of small changes in physical workload was limited.