Ergonomic assessment and low back pain among commercial fishermen

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant problem for commercial fishermen. Little research has been done to investigate the ergonomic stress of occupational fishing tasks, and no previous study has explored the link between low back stress and LBP in fishing. This study quantified low back stresses during commercial crab and gillnet fishing tasks and determined the association between those stresses and LBP occurrences reported in a prospective cohort study of North Carolina commercial fishermen conducted April 1999 to October 2001. Two ergonomic methods measured the percent of time fishermen were exposed to low back stress in a sample of 29 commercial fishermen. Fishing task frequency was evaluated in a telephone questionnaire with cohort crab pot and gillnet fishermen (n=105). Multivariate generalized Poisson regression modeled the occurrence rate ratios (RR, 95% CI) of LBP that limited or interrupted work (severe LBP) by percent time exposed to high low back stress and self-reported task. The rate of severe LBP was 0.69 per 1000 person-days (95% CI: 0.47, 0.90). Age, years of experience and previous severe LBP were associated with severe LBP. Handling heavy loads during loading and unloading produced high compression (3400 to 5315 Newtons) and lifting index values (3.0 to 5.4), but contributed little to overall work iv time (0-14%). Unloading the boat with or without use of a lifting aid was associated with an increased rate of severe LBP. Sorting catch, due to the large portion of time in static, nonneutral trunk postures (83% task time, 27-53% total work time), was associated with an increased rate of LBP (1.80 95% CI: 0.78, 4.13). Overall, increased rates of LBP were associated with the percent of time fishermen were exposed to awkward postures, spine compression >3400 Newtons, and NIOSH lifting index >3.0. Our results demonstrate that neither fishing task frequency nor ergonomic measure alone consistently predict LBP. Age, history of LBP, and self-selection out of tasks were likely important contributors to the patterns of low back stress and outcomes we observed. Research should involve fishermen in future intervention studies to account for these behaviors and increase adoption and diffusion of beneficial interventions

Association of Injury History and Incident Injury in Cadet Basic Military Training

To determine the association between injury history at enrollment and incident lower extremity (LE) injury during cadet basic training among first-year military cadets

The effect of using a pre-dive checklist on the incidence of diving mishaps in recreational scuba diving: a cluster-randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Scuba diving mishaps, caused by equipment problems or human errors, increase the occurrence of injuries and fatalities while diving. Pre-dive checklists may mitigate mishaps. This study evaluated the effect of using a pre-dive checklist on the incidence of diving mishaps in recreational divers. METHODS: A multi-location cluster-randomized trial with parallel groups and allocation concealment was conducted between 1 June and 17 August 2012. The participants had to be at least 18 years of age, permitted to dive by the dive operator and planning to dive on the day of participation. They were recruited at the pier and dive boats at four locations. The intervention group received a pre-dive checklist and post-dive log. The control group received a post-dive log only. The outcomes, self-reported major and minor mishaps, were prompted by a post-dive questionnaire. Mishap rates per 100 dives were compared using Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. Intent-to-treat, per-protocol and marginal structural model analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1043 divers (intervention = 617; control = 426) made 2041 dives, on 70 location-days (intervention = 40; control = 30) at four locations. Compared with the control group, the incidence of major mishaps decreased in the intervention group by 36%, minor mishaps by 26% and all mishaps by 32%. On average, there was one fewer mishap in every 25 intervention dives. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, pre-dive checklist use prevented mishaps which could lead to injuries and fatalities. Pre-dive checklists can increase diving safety and their use should be promoted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01960738

Comparison of Upper Extremity Physical Characteristics Between Adolescent Competitive Swimmers and Nonoverhead Athletes

Alterations to upper extremity physical characteristics of competitive swimmers (posture, range of motion [ROM], and subacromial-space distance) are commonly attributed to cumulative training load during a swimmer's competitive career. However, this accepted clinical belief has not been established in the literature. It is important to understand whether alterations in posture and associated physical characteristics occur as a result of sport training or factors other than swimming participation to better understand injury risk and possible interventions

Athletic Training and Public Health Summit

To introduce athletic trainers to the benefits of using a population-based approach to injury and illness prevention and to explore opportunities for partnering with public health professionals on these initiatives

Validity of Soccer Injury Data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Injury Surveillance System

Few validation studies of sport injury-surveillance systems are available

The healthy diver: A cross-sectional survey to evaluate the health status of recreational scuba diver members of Divers Alert Network (DAN)

<div><p>Background</p><p>Scuba diver fitness is paramount to confront environmental stressors of diving. However, the diving population is aging and the increasing prevalence of diseases may be a concern for diver fitness.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this study is to assess the demographics, lifestyle factors, disease prevalence, and healthcare access and utilization of Divers Alert Network (DAN) members and compare them with those from the general population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>DAN membership health survey (DMHS) was administered online in 2011 to DAN members in the United States (US). Health status of DMHS respondents was compared with the general US population data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System using two-sided student’s <i>t</i>-tests and Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with healthcare utilization among the DMHS participants.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared to the general US population, the DMHS population had lower prevalence of asthma, heart attack, angina, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and disabilities (p<0.01); more heavy alcohol drinkers, and fewer smokers (p<0.01); and greater access and utilization (routine checkup) of healthcare (p<0.01). Healthcare utilization in males was lower than among females. Increasing age and increase in the number of chronic illnesses were associated with increased healthcare utilization.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>DAN members are healthier than the general US population. DAN members also have better access to healthcare and utilize healthcare for preventive purposes more often than the general population. DAN members appear to have a better fitness level than their non-diving peers.</p></div

Adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI for healthcare utilization in the past year by age, adjusted for sex, income and chronic health conditions.

<p>Adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI for healthcare utilization in the past year by age, adjusted for sex, income and chronic health conditions.</p