The Effect of Overcommitment and Reward on Muscle Activity, Posture, and Forces in the Arm-Wrist-Hand Region – a Field Study Among Computer Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Blatter BM ; Bruno Garza JL ; Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Eijckelhof BHW ; Huysmans MA ; Johnson PW ; van der Beek AJ ; van Dieën JH
• Description:
  Objective: Office workers with high levels of overcommitment and low levels of reward are thought to be more prone to arm-wrist-hand symptoms, possibly through a higher internal physical exposure. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of high overcommitment and low reward on (i) forearm muscle activity, (ii) wrist posture and kinematics, and (iii) forces applied to computer input devices during computer work in an actual work setting. Methods: We continuously measured wrist extensor muscle activity, wrist posture and kinematics, and forces applied to the keyboard and mouse for two hours during the daily work of 120 office workers with four different levels of overcommitment and reward (low-high, high-high, low-low, and high-low). Results: Wrist velocities and accelerations in radial-ulnar direction were higher for workers with high compared to low overcommitment, while their wrist range of motion was similar, possibly indicating a higher work pace. Wrist extensor muscle activity and forces applied to the keyboard and mouse were not increased by high overcommitment and/or low reward. Conclusion: Overall, our findings provide little support for the proposed pathway of high overcommitment and low reward in the development of arm-wrist-hand symptoms through a higher internal physical exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Stress, Psychological
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Biomechanics Biomechanics Ergonomics Exposure Assessment Job Stress Office Worker Office Workers Posture Psychosocial Psychosocial Factors Upper Extremities

  More +
• ISSN:
  0355-3140
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  379-389
• Volume:
  39
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056474
• Citation:
  Scand J Work Environ Health 2013 Jul; 39(4):379-389
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr. MA Huysmans, VU University Medical Center, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Email:
  m.huysmans@vumc.nl
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance ; Services
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20080901
• Source Full Name:
  Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
• End Date:
  20130831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7bd90a9f9a44c0c73914af663cc7c14c4cce5b3f54765c0053ca2246f7b2f31346e3363cf3cb700b91ecf8b6b83734c9bc7a88e3c35af88706c172fdcda4d252
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214078/cdc_214078_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 428.67 KB ]