Investigation of the Effect of Individual Metabolic Differences on Workers Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Evidence that workers have suffered from Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been noted as far back as 1713, though was known by different names, e.g. writer’s cramp, repetitive strain injury (RSI). These days, students and office workers, who use computer and mobile phones are suffering from it along with process and factory workers. Every year millions of workers are suffering from MSDs. Low productivity, workers’ compensation and other costs due to MSDs are costing billions of dollars every year to employers and governments. Some workers are susceptible to one type of MSDs but not others, despite performing the same repetitive work. This has surprised management and researchers. Researchers have not considered workers’ metabolic types in analysing their research, although correlation between health problems, repetitive work and metabolic types of the workers was reported in 1875. Three metabolic types: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph have distinct physical, physiological and psychological traits. The purpose of this research is to find the reasons why some workers are susceptible to one type of MSDs and others are not. By understanding that, it will be possible to develop a strategy to prevent MSDs by studying input, throughput and output. Metabolic types explain why some workers are susceptible to one type of MSDs and others are not, despite performing the same work.

Keywords: Repetition Strain Injuries (RSI), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, metabolic types

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100086