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Physical work load between 1970 and 1993--did it change?
1National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden. margareta.torgen@niwl.se
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|May 19, 2000
Summary
Physical work loads decreased for men but increased for women between 1970 and 1993. This gender difference in physical workload development with age may impact musculoskeletal disorder risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Ergonomics
- Sociology
Background:
- Physical work loads have historically differed between genders.
- Understanding long-term trends in occupational physical demands is crucial for public health.
- Changes in employment demographics may influence work-related physical strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze temporal changes in self-reported and objectively assessed physical work loads.
- To examine these changes in relation to gender, calendar year, and birth cohort.
- To investigate the period 1970-1993 in an urban and suburban population.
Main Methods:
- A 1993 questionnaire captured self-reported physical work loads from 1970-1993.
- An objective classification matrix assessed physical work load on body regions.
- The study included 232 men and 252 women born between 1935-1952.
Main Results:
- Men showed a decrease in blue-collar occupations and physical work loads.
- Women experienced an increase in both blue-collar occupations and physical work loads.
- Expert evaluations corroborated self-reported trends in musculoskeletal load.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-based divergence in physical work load trends was observed.
- Work load differences between genders diminished with increasing age.
- These findings suggest potential implications for gender-specific musculoskeletal disorder development.