Detecting within- and between-day manifestations of neuromuscular fatigue at work: an exploratory study

Abstract

Cumulative neuromuscular fatigue may result from exposure to physically demanding work, such as repetitive and/or sustained work with insufficient recovery. The aims of this exploratory study were to develop a battery of field usable fatigue measures and to document hand/arm fatigue in physically demanding work over multiple workdays and after a weekend break. Sixteen plumbers were observed for five days and measures of handgrip force, variability, tremor and discomfort were obtained pre-, mid- and post-shift. This exploratory study demonstrated increasing fatigue of the hand/arm over the day and persistent fatigue from Tuesday to Friday, and that a number of the measures did not return to baseline values following a weekend break. The findings provide preliminary evidence of cumulative fatigue in residential plumbing and insight into neuromuscular fatigue measurement. However, further work is needed to develop and refine a set of fatigue measures to detect neuromuscular fatigue at the workplace.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: Cumulative fatigue has been linked to long-term health outcomes, including work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This paper presents findings from a physically demanding job (i.e. plumbing) revealing persistent fatigue over the work shift(s) and insufficient recovery after a weekend break, and provides insight into fatigue measurement at the workplace.

Keywords::

• fatigue
• plumbing
• construction
• tremor
• discomfort

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Niki Carlan and the support of UA Local Union 46 and participating plumbers. This project was funded by a research grant provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (Ontario) [#08-007] and AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence [A506-AWH].