This study assessed the impact of participation in a health promotion program and engagement in healthy behaviors on job satisfaction. A survey response rate of 70% (n = 1,283) was obtained at a northern state university with an established worksite health promotion program. Significant differences in job satisfaction were obtained by education level, job classification, marital status, dependents, and regular exercise behaviors. No differences in job satisfaction were obtained by health promotion program involvement or any other health behavior other than regular exercise. Results suggest that health promotion programs do not significantly impact job satisfaction. Rather, job design and the psychosocial aspects of the work environment may be more influential in improving job satisfaction. Based on the results of this study, organizations attempting to improve employee health should provide health promotion programs and address the job itself. To improve job satisfaction, attention to the job itself is required.
OBJECTIVE: To follow up cancer incidence and mortality in a group of Swedish battery workers exposed to nickel hydroxide and cadmium oxide. METHODS: 869 workers, employed at least one year between the years 1940 and 1980 were followed up until 1992. Vital status and causes of death were obtained from the Swedish cause of death registry. Cancer morbidity was retrieved from the Swedish cancer registry. Regional reference rates were used to compute the expected numbers of deaths and cancers. RESULTS: Up to 31 December, 1992, a total of 315 deaths (292 in men and 23 in women) had occurred in the cohort. For men, the overall standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 106 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 93.7 to 118) and for women 83.8 (95% CI 53.1 to 126). The SMRs for total cancer mortality were 125 (95% CI 98.2 to 157) for men and 69.5 (95% CI 25.5 to 151) for women. The SMR for lung cancer in men was 176 (95% CI 101 to 287). No lung cancers were found among female workers. Up to 31 December, 1991, a total of 118 cancers had occurred in the cohort. A significantly increased standardised incidence ratio (SIR) was found for cancer of the nose and nasal sinuses in men, three cases v 0.36 expected, yielding an SIR of 832 (95% CI 172 to 2430). Applying a 10 year latency period in cohort members exposed to > or = 1000 micrograms cadmium/m3, the SIR was 1107 (95% CI 134 to 4000). Similarly, for cohort members exposed to 2000 micrograms nickel/m3, the SIR was 1080 (95% CI 131 to 3900). CONCLUSION: There was an increased overall risk for lung cancer, but no exposure-response relation between cumulative exposure to cadmium or nickel and risk of lung cancer. There was a highly significant increased risk of cancer of the nose and nasal sinuses, which may be caused by exposure to nickel or cadmium or a combination of both exposures.
BACKGROUND:Occupational asthma (OA) is a respiratory disorder characterized by airway hyperreactivity caused by agents present in the workplace. For determination of the prevalence of OA among car and furniture painters exposed to isocyanate in the center of Eskisehir, Turkey, a clinical and epidemiologic prospective study in three phases was done, incorporating 312 (89.4%) of the painters.METHODS:Of these subjects, 190 (61%) were furniture painters and 122 (39%) automobile painters. In the first phase of the study, a modified questionnaire and pulmonary function test (PFT) were done. During the second phase, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was monitored in 52 subjects whose complaints were confirmed and who agreed to a month of such monitoring. In the third phase, nonspecific bronchial provocation tests (NSBPT) with histamine were done on 23 of the PEFR-monitored workers.RESULTS:Finally, through questionnaire, typical history, PFT, PEFR monitoring, and NSBPT, 30 workers (9.6%) were diagnosed as having OA. Smoking habits and atopy in the OA-diagnosed workers were found to be statistically significantly high in comparison to the other workers.CONCLUSIONS:It was concluded that OA is a common disorder among automobile and furniture painters, and smoking habits and atopy were seen to have a significant effect on OA occurrence.
Post-modern theorists have highlighted the impacts of rapid social and economic change in lessening structural constraints, arguing that the concepts of “gender” and “social class” are now less useful in understanding people's life chances and choices. While the epochal nature of such changes has been questioned, increasing levels of individualisation and reflexivity have been widely recognised. Agency is prioritised and structural disembeddedness increasingly assumed: people are held to construct their identities and biographies reflexively from a diverse range of experiences and opportunities. When used in relation to understanding health related behaviours this theorising has led to an increasing focus upon the symbolic significance of consumption (and indeed risk) in defining lifestyles and identities. Here we report on the health related behaviours of 106 young people (15/16yr) during their transition from school to employment, training or further education. This period is arguably central in the process of creating adult identities and accordingly should involve considerable lifestyle choice, reflexivity and symbolic consumption as identitities are formed. By drawing on two rounds of data (semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires) we consider how smoking and drinking behaviours related to the wider social transitions towards adulthood. We provide a situated account of health related behaviours which acknowledges both subjective experience and social location. We argue that the current challenge is to integrate the different levels of structural constraint and individual agency within the context of current rapid social and economic change and suggest that it is only through empirical investigation which embraces an analysis both at the level of structure and individual experience that the conditions of late modernity can be more thoroughly understood.
In spite of some significant progress in the understanding of the biomechanics of the ankle joint complex, especially the coupling mechanism between foot and leg, various mechanisms causing overuse injuries in the lower extremities are still poorly understood. Some increased pronation of the foot is often physiological, but excessive pronation is potentially harmful. Compensatory overpronation may occur for anatomical reasons. However, not only the amount of foot eversion, but also the way this eversion is transferred into tibial rotation may be crucial to the overloading stress on the knee. In other words, the individual transfer mechanism of foot eversion into internal tibial rotation may be of some predictable value for lower extremity overloading and related injuries. Further research is necessary to improve the functional understanding of anatomical and biomechanical abnormalities and their pathological value in predicting overuse injuries.
This article discusses the basics of kicking skill from development stages through mechanical characteristics of upper level players. Specific areas that are addressed include developmental levels, kicking components, approach angle, forces on the support foot, loading of the swing limb and subsequent movement toward ball contact, and the mechanics of ball contact and follow-through.
The nutrient intakes and dietary practices of elite, U.S. national team, artistic female gymnasts (n = 33) were evaluated using 3-day food records. The gym nasts' reported energy intake was 34.4 kcal/kg (total 1,678 kcal/day), which was 20% below the estimated energy requirement. The contributions of protein, fat, and carbohydrate to total energy intake were 17%, 18%, and 66%, respectively. All reported vitamin intakes, except vitamin E, were above the RDA. The reported mineral intakes, especially calcium, zinc, and magnesium, were less than 100% of the RDA. The overall nutrient densities of the subjects' diets were higher than expected. Eighty-two percent of the gymnasts reported taking nonprescription vitamin and mineral supplements, and 10% reported taking prescription vitamin and mineral supplements. Forty-eight percent of the gymnasts reported being on a self-prescribed diet. Compared to NHANES III, the reported nutrient intake of these gymnasts was different from that of the average U.S. adolescent female. In summary, certain key nutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc should be given more attention to prevent nutrient deficiencies and subsequent health consequences.
This study sought to identify causal factors for slip, trip and fall accidents occurring during the delivery of mail. Analysis of in-house data produced information about accident circumstances for 1734 fall cases. The most common initiating events in delivery falls were slips and trips. Slips most often occurred on snow, ice or grass, while trips tended to involve uneven pavements, obstacles and kerbs. Nearly one-fifth of falls occurred on steps, with step falls requiring longer absence from work than falls on the level. Half of all falls occurred during November- February and three-quarters of falls occurred between 7 and 9 a.m. Incidence rates for female employees were 50% higher than for their male colleagues. Accident-independent methods included interviews with safety personnel and managers, discussion groups with delivery employees, and a questionnaire survey of employees and managers. These techniques provided data on risk factors related to the task, behaviour, footwear and equipment. Arising from these accident-independent investigations, it is suggested that unsafe working practices, such as reading addresses while walking and taking shortcuts, increase the risk of falls. Organizational issues include management safety activities, training and equipment provision. Measures are discussed that might lead to a reduction in the incidence of delivery fall accidents.
Historically, Alaska has had an occupational fatality rate five times greater than that for the United States. This article reports recent surveillance results for hospitalized nonfatal work-related injuries in Alaska, using the population-based Alaska Trauma Registry (ATR) from 1991 through 1995. The fishing, construction, and logging industries led with the highest number of reported cases in the ATR. Workers in the logging, water transportation, and wood product manufacturing industries had the highest injury rates. Cause, severity, type, and body region of injury were examined for each target industry. For industries with the highest numbers and rates of injuries, in most cases, falls were identified as a common cause of injuries. A fractured bone was the most common type of injury, and the extremities were the most common body region affected. The ATR has proved to be a reliable tool for work-related injury surveillance and will be helpful in planning research priorities and targeting injury prevention efforts.
Assessment of vibrotactile threshold has gained application in studies of neuropathies induced by toxic substances, compression, and vibration. The effect of age and height on vibrotactile threshold is of interest for its own sake and for the purpose of confounder control. We have studied the relation between finger and toe vibrotactile thresholds and age and height in five studies carried out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health with vibrometry data (N = 1,663). A unique property of the merged data set was its wide age range from 14 to 82 years (mean 42 years). We demonstrate a J-shaped increase in finger threshold value (expressed on a log scale) with age, with no increase up to age 35 and a linear increase thereafter. For finger threshold, height was not an important predictor. The data were sparser (n = 541) for toe threshold but suggested a linear increase with both age and height. While consistent with prior data, this study provides a better understanding of the relation between vibrotactile threshold and age and height than has been available before. The greater effect of age and height on toe rather than finger threshold is consistent with the hypothesis that the length of the nerve increases susceptibility to peripheral neuropathy.
This article examines the types of forces that the brain is subjected to in soccer, secondary to both acute brain injury and repetitive heading of the ball. The incidence of acute brain injury is reviewed, as well as studies documenting the effects of heading the ball. Finally, 10 actions are proposed that would make soccer a safer sport with respect to brain injuries and provide avenues for further study in this area.
Ayant constate une augmentation de la charge de travail dans les entreprises, nous avons cherche a evaluer l'etat de sante mentale des salaries et a mettre en evidence une eventuelle relation avec le vecu du travail. Cette enquete a ete realisee sur une population de 3 279 salaries de P.M.E. de la region parisienne a l'aide d'un questionnaire standardise portant sur les caracteristiques socio-demographiques et la perception des conditions de travail. L'appreciation de la sante mentale a ete faite avec le test de sante totale de Langner et Amiel. Le jugement sur le vecu du travail est satisfaisant dans l'ensemble. et ce d'autant plus qu'on appartient a une categorie socio-professionnelle elevee. Cependant, pour deux facteurs, la prise en consideration du travail et la communication dans l'entreprise, il est moins favorable, L'etat de sante mentale varie significativement entre les sept categories socio-protessionnelles de cette population. Il existe une relation significative entre l'etat de sante mentale et les facteurs environnementaux du travail, et plus particulierement avec certains d'entre eux. Il existe aussi une relation avec les facteurs de stress extra-professionnels. Dans une perspective de prevention, on devrait mieux prendre en compte ces composantes de l'organisation du travail, auxquelles les salaries semblent particulierement sensibles.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common sensation following unaccustomed exercise, and especially eccentric exercise. The term DOMS is used to denote not only muscle soreness, but also stiffness, tenderness and pain on active movement. An inherent loss of force-generating capacity and reductions in range of motion are typical functional consequences that accompany DOMS. The symptoms of DOMS are commonly believed to be caused by damage to the muscle; yet DOMS and muscle damage share a poor temporal relationship. This review focuses on empirical research relating to the phenomenon of DOMS, potential underlying mechanisms, functional consequences, and also preventative and treatment strategies.
This paper reviews the role of the rotator cuff during two key phases of the pitching sequence and presents a training program for these muscles. The program uses a periodization design consisting of three stages, beginning with a high-resistance/low-repetition eccentric strengthening stage. This is followed by a low-resistance/high-repetition stage for training muscular endurance. The core exercises for these two stages are prone external rotation in the 90/90 position, prone horizontal abduction, side-lying D2 flexion pattern, supine internal rotation in the 90/90 position, prone elevation with 100° of shoulder abduction and external rotation, and standing scapular plane elevation. The final stage of the program uses high-speed functional exercises: 90/90 external rotation, 90/90 internal rotation, D2 PNF flexion pattern, D2 PNF extension pattern, supine plyometric 90/90 internal rotation with a medicine ball, and the “arm whip” through the D2 PNF flexion pattern. The goal of this program is to prepare the muscles for the stresses of pitching and prevent shoulder injuries.
This investigation evaluated the validity and sensitivity of urine color (Ucol), specific gravity (Usg), and osmolality (Uosm) as indices of hydration status, by comparing them to changes in body water. Nine highly trained males underwent a 42-hr protocol involving dehydration to 3.7% of body mass (Day 1, -2.64 kg), cycling to exhaustion (Day 2, -5.2% of body mass, -3.68 kg), and oral rehydration for 21 hr. The ranges of mean (across time) blood and urine values were Ucol, 1-7; Usg, 1.004-1.029; Uosm, 117-1,081 mOsm x kg-1; and plasma osmolality (Posm), 280-298 mOsm x kg-1. Urine color tracked changes in body water as effectively as (or better than) Uosm, Usg, urine volume, Posm, plasma sodium, and plasma total protein. We concluded that (a) Ucol, Uosm, and Usg are valid indices of hydration status, and (b) marked dehydration, exercise, and rehydration had little effect on the validity and sensitivity of these indices.
OBJECTIVES:Handwriting is one aspect of school children's work. This article examines the influence of fatigue on handwriting, through the use of prolonged writing.STUDY DESIGN:The study population included 157 third-grade students with good and poor handwriting. Quality and speed of handwriting, in addition to ergonomic factors, were assessed through the Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation (HHE), prior to writing and after writing for 10 consecutive minutes.RESULTS:RESULTS of this study clearly demonstrate that children with both poor and good handwriting perform more poorly after writing long texts. Although both groups were influenced by the fatigue situation, poor handwriters still scored lower than the good handwriters in both conditions (fatigue and non-fatigue), on most variables.CONCLUSIONS:Continued studies in this area are recommended, and it is suggested that children take 'writing breaks' when writing, in order to improve the quality of their handwriting.
Stress prevention programmes are predominantly reactive and aimed at individuals. Four factors that may contribute to this current status are discussed: the opinions and interests of company management, the nature of psychology, the difficulty of conducting methodologically 'sound' intervention studies and the denominational segregation of stress research. To increase the impact of organizational level interventions, the effects need to be demonstrated on matters that appeal to company management, such as quality of products and services, organizational flexibility, productivity and sickness absence rates. The demonstration of examples of good preventive practice is considered as a conditio sine qua non for developing effective stress prevention procedures and for the involvement of both social partners in this held. Therefore, 10 Dutch projects from several branches of industry, aimed at the reduction of work stress, physical workload and sickness absenteeism, were selected, analysed and compared. The results show that in most cases sickness absenteeism was reduced and that the benefits exceeded the costs of the interventions. Five factors seem to be at the heart of a successful approach: (1) its stepwise and systematic nature, (2) an adequate diagnosis or risk analysis, (3) a combination of measures (i.e. both work-directed and person-directed), (4) a participative approach (i.e. worker involvement) and (5) top management support. In conclusion, the projects suggest that stress prevention may be beneficial to both the employee and the organization. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
