Morphofunctional parameters, physical fitness and musculoskeletal symptoms in cooperative recyclers

Members of solid waste recycling cooperatives are exposed to serious conditions and complications in their everyday life, which makes them likely to present poor quality of life and unfavorable health conditions in their work environment.

To evaluate morphofunctional parameters, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal symptoms of workers at solid waste recycling cooperatives in Maringá, state of Paraná, Brazil.

This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Data were collected from 60 cooperative members of both sexes linked to the Popular and Solidarity Recycling Association of Maringá. Participants underwent a medical screening at the cooperative, involving anamnesis, pulmonary and cardiac auscultation, and blood pressure measurement. In a second moment, they underwent physical assessment in the laboratory, using instruments for physical tests and questionnaires.

There was a predominance of females in the sample (54%), with a mean age of 41.82±12.03 years, and most participants did not practice physical activity (70%). With regard to body composition, women had the highest body mass index (28.29±6.61 kg/m²); as for the variables physical and aerobic fitness, men showed better scores than women (p < 0.05). In relation to musculoskeletal symptoms, most participants complained of lower back pain (56.66%).

Although the results for anthropometric variables are within normal standards in most cooperative members, most of them present with musculoskeletal symptoms and do not practice physical activity, which can have negative implications in their health conditions in the medium and long term.