A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study Of Ergonomic Risk And Musculoskeletal Characteristics İn Blue- And White-Collar Workers İn An Industrial Setting
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Istinye University
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Joint Range of Motion
Overview
Brief Summary
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common occupational health problems and are closely associated with ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. Different occupational roles expose workers to distinct biomechanical and postural demands, which may influence musculoskeletal health in different ways. Field-based (blue-collar) work is typically characterized by physical workload and repetitive movements, whereas office-based (white-collar) work mainly involves prolonged sitting and static postures.
This cross-sectional comparative study aims to evaluate and compare musculoskeletal characteristics and ergonomic risk levels between blue-collar and white-collar workers employed in the same industrial setting. Full-time employees aged 18-65 years who have been working in the same factory for at least two years are included.
Outcomes include muscle strength, joint range of motion, ergonomic risk assessed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), musculoskeletal complaints, body awareness, health-related quality of life, and anxiety levels. Objective measurements and validated self-report questionnaires are used.
Following baseline assessment, individualized ergonomic and exercise-based recommendations are provided as part of a workplace health promotion approach. Participant satisfaction and perceived ergonomic awareness are descriptively evaluated after eight weeks. The findings aim to support occupation-specific ergonomic risk assessment and preventive strategies in industrial work environments.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Other
- Time Perspective
- Cross Sectional
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Aged between 18 and 65 years
- •Employed in the same factory for at least two consecutive years
- •Actively working in either field-based (blue-collar) or office-based (white-collar) positions
- •Full-time employment status
- •Maintained the current job position for at least one year prior to assessment
- •Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Presence of a diagnosed cardiovascular condition contraindicating physical activity
- •Orthopedic surgery within the previous 12 months
- •Presence of a neurological disorder affecting motor performance
- •Acute musculoskeletal injury within the previous 3 months
- •Currently receiving structured physiotherapy or rehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions
- •Pregnancy at the time of assessment
Arms & Interventions
Industrial Blue-Collar Workers
This cohort includes full-time field-based employees working in physically demanding tasks within an industrial (factory) setting. Participants are primarily involved in manual labor, equipment handling, repetitive movements, and activities requiring dynamic postures. No experimental intervention is applied. Following baseline assessment, participants receive individualized ergonomic and exercise-based recommendations as part of a workplace health promotion initiative.
Intervention: Workplace Ergonomic and Exercise Education (Other)
Industrial White-Collar Workers
This cohort includes full-time office-based employees working in administrative and desk-based roles within the same industrial setting. Participants are primarily exposed to prolonged sitting, static working postures, and computer-based tasks. No experimental intervention is applied. Following baseline assessment, participants receive individualized ergonomic and exercise-based recommendations as part of a workplace health promotion initiative.
Intervention: Workplace Ergonomic and Exercise Education (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Joint Range of Motion
Time Frame: Baseline (single time point)
Active joint range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper and lower extremities was measured using a universal goniometer (Hawker et al., 2011).
Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Baseline (single time point)
Hand grip strength was measured using a Jamar hand dynamometer, positioned according to the recommendations of the American Society of Hand Therapists (Mathiowetz et al., 1985). Isometric muscle strength of the deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, quadriceps, and hamstring muscle groups was assessed using a Lafayette handheld dynamometer (Mentiplay et al., 2015). Three maximal contraction trials were performed for each muscle group and hand grip strength, and the highest value obtained was recorded.
Muscle Flexibility
Time Frame: Baseline (single time point)
Lumbar extensor, hamstring, and gastrosoleus muscle flexibility were evaluated using the sit-and-reach test. The distance between the middle fingertip and the testing surface was recorded in centimeters (Otman et al., 2003).
Secondary Outcomes
- Musculoskeletal Complaints(Baseline (single time point))
- Evaluation of Satisfaction and Awareness(8 weeks after baseline assessment)
- Ergonomic Risk Assessment(Baseline (single time point))
- Quality of Life Assessment(Baseline (single time point))
- Anxiety Assessment(Baseline (single time point))
- Body Awareness Assessment(Baseline (single time point))