Cumulative shoulder fatigue progression across full and two-consecutive working days in construction work

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Overhead work is common in construction, potentially leading to fatigue.
• Limited research exists on the progression of fatigue during full shifts and across multiple days in these workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the patterns of shoulder fatigue progression during full working shifts and over two consecutive days in construction workers.
• To assess the relationship between overhead work exposures and the development of fatigue.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-five participants from five construction trades were assessed.
• A test battery included shoulder maximal voluntary force (MVF), electromyography (EMG) during a 15% MVF contraction, and rates of perceived exertion (RPE) for the neck, shoulders, back, and arms.
• Data were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of each work shift using generalized linear mixed-effects models.

Main Results:

• Significant effects of work shift were observed for RPE, EMG amplitude, and EMG power frequencies (EMG_PF).
• Day effects were significant for EMG_PF.
• Progressive onset of shoulder fatigue was observed over a work shift and across two consecutive working days.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder fatigue progresses throughout a work shift and across multiple days in construction workers performing overhead tasks.
• Electromyography and perceived exertion measures indicate significant within- and between-shift fatigue.
• Further research is needed to explore dose-response relationships between overhead work exposure and shoulder fatigue.