Musculoskeletal problems in the tomato growing industry: 'Tomato trainer's shoulder'?

Abstract

Tomato training entails highly repetitive shoulder muscle contractions, static contractions and work at shoulder level, factors linked in other working groups with neck and shoulder complaints. The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints was compared using the Nordic Questionnaire in 56 tomato trainers and 52 other matched glasshouse workers whose job did not include these work task factors. A higher 12-month (odds ratio (OR) = 5.9; [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.4-16.7] and 7-day (OR = 3.6, CI = 1.2-11.1) period prevalence of shoulder complaint was recorded in trainers than in pickers and deleafers. Other upper limb and upper trunk complaints were also more common in tomato trainers, highlighting an area of ergonomic concern.