The Influences of Obesity and Age on Functional Performance During Intermittent Upper Extremity Tasks

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cavuoto LA ; Nussbaum MA
• Description:
  In this study, the main and interactive effects of obesity and age on functional performance were assessed during intermittent exertions involving the upper extremity. The prevalence of obesity has doubled over the past 30 years and this increase is associated with higher health care costs, rates of workplace injury, and lost workdays. Obesity and aging can modify job demands and affect worker capacity in terms of muscular and psychomotor function. However, there is a lack of empirical studies quantifying the work-relevant (or ergonomic) impacts related to task demands, capacities, and their potential imbalance. Eight obese and eight non-obese participants from each of two age groups (18-25 and 50-65 years) completed three endurance tasks involving fixed levels of task demands: hand grip, shoulder flexion, and a simulated assembly task using the upper extremity. Measures of functional performance including endurance, discomfort, motor control, and task performance were recorded for each of the task conditions. Endurance times were approximately 60% longer for the non-obese group, and older participants had longer endurance times; however there was no evidence of interactive effects of obesity and age. Obesity also impaired functional performance, as indicated by higher rates of strength loss, increases in discomfort, and declines in task performance. These observed impairments may reflect underlying physiological differences among individuals who are obese, but that are independent of age. Obesity-related impairments may have implications for the design of work duration and demand level to prevent fatigue development for workers who are obese. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Biomechanical Phenomena Ergonomics Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Author Keywords: Aging Biomechanics BMI Body Mass Index Endurance Intermittent Exertions Motor Control Muscle Function Obesity Shoulder Fatigue Task Performance Upper Extremities Weight Factors

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• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2 ; OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  11
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054027
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2014 Sep; 11(9):583-590
• Contact Point Address:
  Lora A. Cavuoto, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 324 Bell Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260
• Email:
  loracavu@buffalo.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• Performing Organization:
  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:eb4517e788b0475ac63b80c182447b49e090c2686c451a432460642cd4348ad6ed8e999424a49f3b6064c0f5f6e654b539ae27c5c1bca3daeada9015887eaa2e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216676/cdc_216676_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 262.77 KB ]