Original Articles
3 April 2025
Vol. 38 No. 2 (2016)

[Occupational postural risk and lower limb disorders]

Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
8
Views
19
Downloads

Authors

The working posture is part of the risk factors for the development of muscle-skeletal disorders. Compared to postural problems of the trunk and upper limbs, those related to the lower limbs have been so far undervalued in the context of preventive medicine and ergonomics. The risk assessment tools for the lower limbs posture are inhomogeneous and incomplete. The classification of postures, the quantification of the risk, the correlation with organizational and individual aspects, and interventions for the prevention and management of the risk are aspects yet to be explored.

Altmetrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

1) European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Expert forecast on emerging physical risks related to occupational safety and health. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 2005.
2) European Agency for Safety at Work. European Risk Observatory Report. ISSN 1830-5946, OSH in figures: work related musculoskeletal disorders in the EU. Facts and figures. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2010.
• Niosh. Observation-Based Posture Assessment: Review of Currer ractice and Recommendations for Improvement. Publicatio number 2014, 131.
) Lin YH, Chen CY, Cho MH. Influence of shoe floor conditions o ower leg circumference and subjective discomfort during prolonge standing. Appl Ergon 2012; 43: 965-970. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2012.01.006
5) Ebben JM. Improved ergonomics for standing work. Occup Health Saf 2003; 72(4): 72-6.
6) McCulloch J. Health risks associated with prolonged standing. Work 2002; 19(2): 201-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2002-00255
7) Sudol-Szopinska I, Bogdan A, Szopinski T, Panorska AK, Kolodziejczak M. Prevalence of chronic venous disorders among employees working in prolonged sitting and standing postures. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 2011; 17(2): 165-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2011.11076887
8) Tomei F, Baccolo TP, Tomao E, Palmi S, Rosati MV. Chronic Venous Disorders and Occupation. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1999; 36: 653-665. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199912)36:6<653::AID-AJIM8>3.0.CO;2-P
9) Tüchsen F, Krause N, Hannerz H, Burr H, Kristensen TS. Standing at work and varicose veins. Scand J Work Environ Health 2000; 26(5): 414-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.562
10) Takala EP, Pehkonen I, Forsman M, Hansson GA, Mathiassen SE, Neumann WP, Sjogaard G, Veiersted KB, Westgaard RH, Winkel J. Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work. Scand J Work Environ Health 2010; 36(1): 3-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2876
11) King MA. Assessment of lower extremity posture: quantitative and qualitative clinical skills. Athletic Therapy Today 2007; 12(2): 2-7. 12) Kim S, Lockhart T. Lower limb control and mobility following exercise training. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation 2012; 9: 15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/att.12.2.2
13) Murphy DF, Connolly DAJ, Beynnon BD. Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature. Br J Sports Med 2003; 37: 13-29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.37.1.13
14) Redmond A. The foot posture Index, user guide and manual.2005 www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/FASTER/FPI 15) Murley GS, Landorf KB, Menz HB, Bird AR. Effect of foot posture, foot orthoses and footwear on lower limb muscle activity during walking and running: A systematic review. Gait Posture 2009; 29(2): 172-87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.08.015
16) Gell N, Werner RA, Hartigan A, Wiggermann N, Keyserling WM. Risk factors for lower extremity fatigue among assembly plant workers. Am J Ind Med 2011; 54(3): 216-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20918
17) Halim I, Omar AR. A review on health effects associated with prolonged standing in the industrial workplaces. IRRAS 2011; 8 (1): 14-21.
18) Lehman KR, Psihogios JP, Meulenbroek RGY. Effects of sitting versus standing and scanner type on cashiers. Ergonomics 2001; 44(7): 719-738.
19) Ngomo S, Messing K, Perrault H, Comtois A. Orthostatic symptoms, blood pressure and working postures of factory and service workers over an observed workday. Appl Ergon 2008; 39(6): 729-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2007.11.004
20) da Luz CM, da Costa Proença RP, de Salazar BR, do Nascimento Galego G. Working conditions at hospital food service and the development of venous disease of lower limbs. Int J Environ Health Res 2013; 23 (6): 520-530. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2013.769203
21) Messing K, Kilbom A. Standing and very slow walking: foot painpressure threshold, subjective pain experience and work activity. Appl Ergon 2001; 32(1): 81-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(00)00030-2
22) Blazek C, Amsler F, Blaettler W, Keo HH, Baumgartner I, Willenberg T. Compression hosiery for occupational leg symptoms and leg volume: a randomized crossover trial in a cohort of hairdressers. Phlebology 2013; 28 (5): 239-247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1258/phleb.2011.011108
23) http: //www.hse.gov.uk/msd/Ild/what-are.htm 24) Bahk JW, Kim H, Jung-Choi K, Jung MC, Lee I. Relationship between prolonged standing and symptoms of varicose veins and nocturnal leg cramps among women and men. Ergonomics 2012; 55(2): 133-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2011.582957
25) Allaert FA, Cazaubon M, Causse C, Lecomte Y, Urbinelli R. Venous disease and ergonomics of female employment. Int Angiol 2005; 24(3): 265-71.
26) Zander JE, King PM, Ezenwa BN. Influence of flooring conditions on lower leg volume following prolonged standing. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 2004; 34: 279-88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2004.04.014
27) Beasley R, Heuser P, Raymond N. SIT (seated immobility thromboembolism) syndrome: a 21st century lifestyle hazard. Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association 2005; 118 (1212), U1376.
28) Shai A, Karakis I, Shemesh D. Possible ramifications of prolonged standing at the workplace and its association with the development of chronic venous insufficiency. Harefuah 2007; 146(9): 677-85, 734.
29) Laurikka JO, Sisto T, Tarkka MR, Auvinen O, Hakama M. Risk indicators for varicose veins in forty- to sixty-year-olds in the Tampere varicose vein study. World J Surg 2002; 26(6): 648-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-001-0283-1
30) Lehman KR, Psihogios JP, Meulenbroek RGY. Effects of sitting versus standing and scanner type on cashiers. Ergonomics 2001; 44(7): 719-738. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130119569
31) Sancini A, Caciari T, Rosati MV, Palermo P, Fiaschetti M, Nardone N, Vitarelli A, et al. Phlebopathies and workers. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2010; 32(4): 166-9.
32) Chung MK, Lee I, Kee D. Quantitative postural load assessment for whole body manual tasks based on perceived discomfort. Ergonomics 2005; 48: 5, 492-505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130400029217
33) Barbini N, Gorini G, Ferrucci L, Biggeri A. Analysis of arterial hypertension and work in the epidemiologic study "Aging, Health and Work". Epidemiol Prev 2005; 29(3-4): 160-5.
34) Hignett S, McAtamney L. Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Appl Ergon 2000; 31(2): 201-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(99)00039-3
35) Karhu O, Härkönen R, Sorvali P, Vepsäläinen P. Observing working postures in industry: Examples of OWAS application. Appl Ergon 1981; 12(1): 13-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(81)90088-0
36) McAtamney L, Nigel Corlett E. RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Appl Ergon 1993; 24(2): 91-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(93)90080-S
37) Moore JS, Garg A. The strain index a proposed method to analyze jobs for risk of distal upper extremity disorders. Am Ind Hyg Assoc 1995; 56: 443-458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1202/0002-8894(1995)056<0443:TSIAPM>2.0.CO;2
38) Borg G. Borg's Perceived exertion and pain scales. Human Kinetics. Champaign IL, 1998.
39) Miedema MC, Douwes M, Dul J. Recommended maximum holding times for prevention of discomfort of static standing postures. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 1997; 19: 9-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-8141(95)00037-2
40) Balasubramanian V, Adalarasu K, Regulapati R. Comparing dynamic and stationary standing postures in an assembly task. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 2009; 39: 649-654. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2008.10.017
41) ISO 11226: 2000. Ergonomics. Evaluation of static working postures. 42) UNI EN 1005-4: 2009. Sicurezza del macchinario. Prestazione fisica umana, Parte 4: Valutazione delle posture e dei movimenti lavorativi in relazione al macchinario.
43) UNI EN 1005-5: 2007. Sicurezza del macchinario. Prestazione fisica umana, Parte 5: Valutazione del rischio connesso alla movimentazione ripetitiva ad alta frequenza.
44) UNI EN ISO 14738: 2009. Sicurezza del macchinario - Requisiti antropometrici per la progettazione di postazioni di lavoro sul macchinario.
45) Buchholz B, Paquet V, Punnet L, Lee D, Moir S. PATH: A Work Sampling-Based Approach to Ergonomic Job Analysis for Construction Work. Applied Ergonomics 1996; 27(3): 177-187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(95)00078-X
46) Sasson JR, Austin J. The Effects of Training, Feedback, and Participant Involvement in Behavioral Safety Observations on Office Ergonomic Behavior. Journal of Organizational Behaviour Management 2004; 24(4): 1-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J075v24n04_01
47) Malchaire J. Strategie Sobane et guide de depistage Deparis. Serie Strategie Sobane, Gestion des risques professionels. SPF Emplo1, Travail, Concertation Sociale, Brussels 2007.
48) David GC. Ergonomic methods for assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Occupational Medicine 2005; 55: 190-199. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqi082
49) Ellegast R. Assessment of physical workloads to prevent work-related MSDs. https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Assessment_of_physical_ workloads_to_prevent_work-related_MSDs 50) http: //www.ttl.fi/en/ergonomics/methods/ewm/pages/default.aspx 51) Kemmlert K. A method assigned for the identification of ergonomic hazards - PLIBEL. Appl Ergon 1995; 26(3): 199-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(95)00022-5
52) Chung MK, Lee I, Kee D. Assessment of postural load for lower limb postures based on perceived discomfort. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 2003; 31: 17-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(02)00115-4
53) Ditchen DM, Ellegast RP, Gawliczek M, Hartmann B, Rieger MA Occupational kneeling and squatting: development and validation of an assessment method combining measurements and diaries. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015; 88: 153-165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0946-5
54) Malchaire J. Guide. A classification of methods for assessing and/or preventing the risks of musculoskeletal disorders. ETUI (European Trade Union Institute), 2011.
55) ISO/PDTR 12295: 2013. Ergonomics. Application document for ISO standards on manual handling (ISO 11228-1, ISO 11228-2 and ISO 11228-3) and evaluation of static working postures (ISO 11226).
56) Colombini D, Occhipinti E. Initial identification and preliminary assessment (pre-mapping) of potential risks. EPM IES Guideline 2015.
57) Reid CR, McCauley Bush P, Karwowski W, Durrani SK. Occupational postural activity and lower extremity discomfort: A review. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 2010; 40: 247-256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2010.01.003
58) Tissot F, Messing K, Stock S. Studying the relationship between low back pain and working postures among those who stand and those who sit most of the working day. Ergonomics 2009; 52(11): 1402-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130903141204
59) Cham R, Redfern MS. Effect of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. Hum Factors 2001; 43(3): 381-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1518/001872001775898205
60) Hansen L, Winkel J, Jorgensen K. Significance of mat and shoe softness during prolonged work in upright position: based on measurements of low back muscle EMG, toot volume changes, discomfort and ground force reactions. Appl Ergon 1998; 29(3): 217-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(97)00062-8
61) Nelson-Wong E, Callaghan JP. The impact of a sloped surface on low back pain during prolonged standing work: a biomechanical analysis. Appl Ergon 2010; 41(6): 787-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2010.01.005
62) Redfern MS, Cham R. The influence of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. AlHAJt 2010; 61(5): 700-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1202/0002-8894(2000)061<0700:TIOFOS>2.0.CO;2
63) van Dieen JH, Oude Vrielink HH. Evaluation of work-rest schedules with respect to the effects of postural workload in standing work. Ergonomics 1998; 41: 1832-1844. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/001401398186009

How to Cite



[Occupational postural risk and lower limb disorders]. (2025). Giornale Italiano Di Medicina Del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia, 38(2), 96-106. https://doi.org/10.4081/gimle.658