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Cited by 49Occupational Health and Safety in WorkplacesPhysical Activity and HealthWorkplace Health and Well-being

Heavy Physical Work: Cardiovascular Load in Male Construction Workers

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Lunde, Lars-Kristian, Koch, Markus, Veiersted, Kaj, Moen, Gunn-Helen, Wærsted, Morten, Knardahl, Stein·2016·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph13040356PMC PMC4847018
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Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate cardiovascular loads (CVL) in construction workers during work and leisure by relative heart rate (RHR) over several days. Furthermore, we sought to evaluate the level of CVL in relation to individual factors, work ability, musculoskeletal pain and subjective general health. From a group of 255 construction workers responding to the baseline questionnaire, the CVL during work and leisure time was determined by recording RHR in 42 workers over 3–4 days. Almost 60% of the workday was spent below 20% RHR. The mean RHR during work for all participants was 16% RHR, with large differences between professions. On average, the 42 workers spent 14% of the workday at a RHR above 33%, and four subjects (10%) had a mean RHR above 33% during work. Eight (19%) of the participants had a mean length of their workday exceeding calculated maximal acceptable work time. Seven persons (17%) experienced on average one or more episode(s) of 5 min or more continuously above 33% RHR. The cardiovascular load at work was significantly associated with age and V ˙O2max, but not with work ability, musculoskeletal pain or subjective general health.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Lunde, L.-K., Koch, M., Veiersted, K., Moen, G.-H., Wærsted, M., & Knardahl, S.
Affiliations
  • National Institute of Occupational Health (NO)
  • Oslo University Hospital (NO)
Corresponding author
Lunde, Lars-Kristian
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2016-03-23
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
356
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph13040356
PMC
PMC4847018
OpenAlex
W2311334693
Cited by
49
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1
FWCI
9.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Norges Forskningsråd (218358)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
Keywords
cardiovascular load, construction workers, heavy physical work, maximal heart rate, VO2max, work ability, musculoskeletal pain, self-rated health, occupational physical activity, leisure-time physical activity
MeSH terms
Adult, Heart Rate, Humans, Leisure Activities, Male, Middle Aged, Occupations, Surveys and Questionnaires, Work, Workload, Construction Industry

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