Self-reported work-related musculoskeletal injuries and isometric handgrip strength

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are common in car assembly workers, causing significant morbidity. There is evidence that increased muscle strength reduces musculoskeletal injury risk and that handgrip strength is a predictor of general muscle strength. Aims: To investigate whether isometric handgrip strength (IHGS) is a predictor of increased musculoskeletal injury risk in automotive assembly workers. Methods: We measured IHGS in a cross-sectional survey of final assembly line workers in an automotive manufacturing plant. Weak handgrip was defined as two standard deviations below the normative mean value for age and gender. Self-reported musculoskeletal injury/accident data and recent musculoskeletal symptoms were recorded using a modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Results: Of 445 final assembly line workers, 206 (46%) participated. Sixty participants (29%) reported a musculoskeletal injury/accident at work in the preceding 5 years. Mean IHGS in this population was lower than international normative values. Odds ratios for self-reported injury (adjusted for gender and recent musculoskeletal symptoms) were 0.62 (95% CI 0.28-1.35) for left weak handgrip and 0.57 (95% CI 0.31-1.1) for right weak handgrip. Conclusions: In this study, weak handgrip did not predict increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries/accidents. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.