Mojtaba Babaei Khorzoghi, Sayed Ali Hoseini, Mahnaz Manshuri, Mohamad Reza Batavani, Leili Mahdieh,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal abnormalities are one of the main causes of musculoskeletal injuries, followed by job-disability among employees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between abnormal profiles and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among academic staff men and women.
Material and Methods: The present study is of a causal nature after occurrence. The statistical population consisted of all employees of Isfahan University of Technology in 2018. A random sample of 64 men and 59 women were recruited as the study sample. A New-York-based assessment questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal-abnormalities and a Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the extent of MSDs. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and Spearman test were used in SPSS version24 software.
Results: The highest musculoskeletal abnormality in the upper limb was observed in shoulder area (0.37%) and among the lower limbs the ankle (0.82%) was reported as the highest. In terms of correlation between pain, disability and injuries and MSDs with gender in the last 7 days, there was the highest correlation with shoulder (r=0.377), wrist (r=0.401) in the last 12 months and musculoskeletal abnormalities with shoulder area (r = 0.411). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of pain and disability with injury in the shoulder area (P = 0.001), wrist (P = 0.001), back (P = 0.002), buttocks (P = 0.032) and knees (P = 0.006).
Conclusion: The results indicate a high risk of MSDs and abnormalities in male and female employees. In order to reduce the incidence of abnormalities, it is necessary to perform corrective exercises and improve the ergonomics conditions of the work environment.
Mohammad Mahmoudi, Mansour Sahebozamani, Mahdieh Akoochakian, Alireza Kazemi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Relief work is inherently associated with various stress-inducing factors due to the nature of the profession. Among relief-related professions, firefighters, due to the responsibilities related to firefighting and safety services, are exposed to various physical and chemical hazards. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to compare the effect and practice retention, central and operational and skill-based stability over the balance of the firefighters with and without firefighting and rescue clothing and Hazardous Materials.
Material and Methods: The statistical population consisted of 5500 firefighters from the city of Tehran. As for the intervention, in the first group, central stability exercises, and in the second group, operational and skill-based exercises were performed by the firefighters during their shift days for a period of 6 weeks. The balance of the firefighters in both groups was measured at three stages: at the beginning of the intervention, immediately after the 6-week training period, and one month after the end of the training. The “Y Balance” board was used to assess the firefighters’ balance. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test at a 5% significance level, using version 26 of the SPSS software.
Results: According to the results of this study, the balance of firefighters in both the right and left legs was significantly greater in the operational and skill-based training group compared to the central stability training group, both immediately after training and one month later (p < 0.05). With performing operational and skill-based training, right leg balance in the rescue suit was significantly higher than in the fire protection and hazmat suits (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the fire protection and hazmat suits (p > 0.05). Left leg balance in the rescue suit was significantly higher than in both the fire protection and hazmat suits, and balance in the fire protection suit was significantly higher than in the hazmat suit (p < 0.05). Additionally, firefighters’ balance significantly improved after balance training (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the balance measured one month after training and immediately after training (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: In addition to the fact that core stability exercises particularly task specific functional training are effective in improving balance and preventing injuries, the retention of these effects over time should be taken into account.
