Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.31306/s.60.2.4
Occupational kinesiology: back pain and load lifting techniques
Josipa Nakić
orcid.org/0000-0001-9398-4093
; Kineziološki fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Erol Kovačević
; Univerzitet u Sarajevu, Fakultet sporta i tjelesnog odgoja, Sarajevo, BiH
Ensar Abazović
; Centar za obrazovanje i poduzetništvo, Sarajevo, BiH
Abstract
Although different types of occupations exert different impacts on human health, back pain occurs in a very large number of workers in many occupations. Back pain is common among the workers in shops whose work tasks are characterized by a large number of repetitions required in lifting and lowering loads. Preventing back pain was the reason for a large commercial chain in the Republic of Croatia to implement this project in the field of occupational kinesiology. They carried out a systematic training scheme intended to teach their workers correct manual handling techniques. This investigation is part of that project. The sample of participants was made up of 234 employees working in stores. As part of the project, theoretical and practical lectures were conducted asking the employees to complete suitably designed questionnaires. Using the methods of descriptive statistics, this study found that 58.02% subjects had low back pain (LBP) in the first place. 73.11% subjects had LBP in the first, second and/or third place. 84.90 % subjects had back and/or neck pain in the first place. First, second, or third place back and/or neck pain afflicted an amazing 92.45% subjects. It was also found that 86.79% subjects practiced improper mechanics of movement in load lifting, exhibiting strong spine flexion during lifting. Of 100% subjects with pronounced spine flexion, 94% have back and/or neck pain and only 6% of the subjects have no back and/or neck pain. This research suggests that improper lifting techniques practiced by manual workers strongly affect the development of back and neck pain. It was concluded that the proper technique for lifting heavy loads from the floor is a motor skill that must be learned. However, first we must recognize the need for systematic education of workers on load lifting. The ultimate goal is primary and secondary prevention of back and neck pain, as well as preservation of work ability.
Keywords
occupational kinesiology; lifting loads education; back and neck pain prevention; preserving work ability
Hrčak ID:
202666
URI
Publication date:
29.6.2018.
Visits: 3.514 *