Heavy Physical Work: Cardiovascular Load in Male Construction Workers

Lars-Kristian Lunde, Markus Koch, Kaj Bo Veiersted, Gunn-Helen Moen, Morten Wærsted and Stein Knardahl
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Lars-Kristian Lunde: National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, 0336 Oslo, Norway
Markus Koch: National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, 0336 Oslo, Norway
Kaj Bo Veiersted: National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, 0336 Oslo, Norway
Gunn-Helen Moen: Oslo University Hospital, Trondheimsveien 235, 0514 Oslo, Norway
Morten Wærsted: National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, 0336 Oslo, Norway
Stein Knardahl: National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, 0336 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This study aimed to elucidate cardiovascular loads (CVL) in construction workers during work and leisure by relative heart rate (RHR) over several days. Furthermore, we sought to evaluate the level of CVL in relation to individual factors, work ability, musculoskeletal pain and subjective general health. From a group of 255 construction workers responding to the baseline questionnaire, the CVL during work and leisure time was determined by recording RHR in 42 workers over 3–4 days. Almost 60% of the workday was spent below 20% RHR. The mean RHR during work for all participants was 16% RHR, with large differences between professions. On average, the 42 workers spent 14% of the workday at a RHR above 33%, and four subjects (10%) had a mean RHR above 33% during work. Eight (19%) of the participants had a mean length of their workday exceeding calculated maximal acceptable work time. Seven persons (17%) experienced on average one or more episode(s) of 5 min or more continuously above 33% RHR. The cardiovascular load at work was significantly associated with age and V ? O 2max , but not with work ability, musculoskeletal pain or subjective general health.

Keywords: construction work; general health; musculoskeletal pain; physical demands; work ability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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