From strain to strength: reducing musculoskeletal complaints in ironworkers through integration of physical training within work rotations

25premus078 10.3205/25premus078 urn:nbn:de:0183-25premus0786 Meeting Abstract From strain to strength: reducing musculoskeletal complaints in ironworkers through integration of physical training within work rotations Eliasson Eliasson Kristina K

Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden

author Jansson Jansson Annalena A

Falck Hälsa och Arbetsliv, Norrköping, Sweden

author Nordquist Nordquist Tobias T

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden

author Svartengren Svartengren Magnus M

author Nyman Nyman Teresia T

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20250909 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0625 078 12th International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders PREMUS 2025 Oral PS 16 Tübingen 20250909 20250912 078 TextIntroduction: Ironworkers are at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to the physically demanding and hand-intensive nature of their tasks. Job rotation is commonly introduced as a preventive strategy to reduce WMSDs by increasing task variability. However, research suggests that poorly designed rotation schemes may inadvertently increase exposure to ergonomic risks. Integrating targeted physical training into job rotation schedules presents a novel approach to enhancing task variation while supporting musculoskeletal health. This study aimed to implement and evaluate a workplace intervention that integrated physical training into job rotation to reduce WMSDs among ironworkers.Methods: A single-group intervention with a pre- and posttest design was employed, involving all employees (N=26, male/female: 22/4) at the ironwork. Over 12 months, the intervention included job rotation integrated with physical training as part of daily work routines, comprising four training sessions per week—two resistance training sessions and two cardiovascular sessions, each lasting 20–25 minutes.Participants completed a structured interview-based survey to assess WMSDs at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Additionally, to facilitate comparisons with other occupational groups, a clinical examination was conducted following the “Health Surveillance in Adverse Ergonomic Conditions” protocol to evaluate WMSDs, also grip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 (TS Level 1 M8). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were employed to account for repeated measures.Results: Preliminary findings from the six-month follow-up indicate a significant reduction in self-reported pain levels in the neck, hands, and upper back regions. Additionally, a notable improvement in grip strength. Data from the twelve-month evaluation is pending.Discussion: This study contributes to the understanding of integrating physical training into job rotation as a novel approach to mitigate WMSDs in physically demanding occupations. The findings highlight the potential of structured interventions to enhance worker health and performance, emphasizing the need for well-designed rotation schemes coupled with targeted physical training to optimize task variability and reduce injury risks. However, limitations include the small sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the findings, and the lack of a control group, which limits the ability to draw definitive causal conclusions.Conclusion: The integration of physical training within job rotation schedules shows promise in reducing WMSDs among ironworkers. Future studies should aim to address the limitations identified and further explore the long-term effects on both health and productivity of such interventions across diverse occupational settings. Jonker D Gustafsson E Rolander B Arvidsson I Nordander C Health surveillance under adverse ergonomics conditions--validity of a screening method adapted for the occupational health service 2015 Ergonomics 1519-28 Jonker D, Gustafsson E, Rolander B, Arvidsson I, Nordander C. Health surveillance under adverse ergonomics conditions--validity of a screening method adapted for the occupational health service. Ergonomics. 2015;58(9):1519-28. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2015.1019575 https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1019575 0 0 0 0