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Risk Factors for Lower Limb Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V

Part of the book series: Studies in Systems, Decision and Control ((SSDC,volume 492))

Abstract

Lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders have multifactorial etiology, primarily caused by prolonged exposure to physical risk factors, including awkward postures, repetitions, and forceful exertions. These disorders can significantly affect worker’s health and work performance. However, the literature regarding the risk factors of the lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders is generally under-represented. This study aims to identify the relative importance of the risk factors that lead to the development of each lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The research method was based on a questionnaire and interviews with ten health experts, namely: two orthopedists, two occupational doctors, four physiotherapists and two physiotherapists/osteopaths. The application of the questionnaire highlighted the difficulty in objectively characterizing the importance degree of the risk factors. Nevertheless, the interviews were quite relevant to complement the information regarding the most common risk factors contributing to the development of lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Overall, the expert's feedback indicates that workers exposed to prolonged standing work involving static postures are substantially more likely to develop lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The information gathered will be used in developing an assessment model to predict the possibility of developing lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT.IP) for its financial support through the grant UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UNIDEMI, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Catarina Santos, Ana Teresa Gabriel & Isabel L. Nunes

  2. LASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal

    Ana Teresa Gabriel & Isabel L. Nunes

  3. Physics Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology – FCT NOVA, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Cláudia Quaresma

  4. Physics Department, LIBPhys-UNL, NOVA School of Science and Technology FCT NOVA, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Cláudia Quaresma

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  1. Catarina Santos
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  2. Ana Teresa Gabriel
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  3. Cláudia Quaresma
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  4. Isabel L. Nunes
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Correspondence to Catarina Santos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Pedro M. Arezes

  2. Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Rui B. Melo

  3. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Paula Carneiro

  4. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Jacqueline Castelo Branco

  5. School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Ana Colim

  6. Department of Production and Systems School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Nélson Costa

  7. School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Susana Costa

  8. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Duarte

  9. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana C. Guedes

  10. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Gonçalo Perestrelo

  11. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    J. Santos Baptista

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Santos, C., Gabriel, A.T., Quaresma, C., Nunes, I.L. (2024). Risk Factors for Lower Limb Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. In: Arezes, P.M., et al. Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol 492. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_16

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