Evaluation of work-related neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in female sales workers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare neuromuscular fatigue and
discomfort following workday in groups of sales workers, who were working predominantly in standing or sitting position. Ten female sales workers (aged 21–66 yrs), who worked predominantly in standing position (ST) and 9 female sales workers (aged 20–54 yrs), who worked predominantly in sitting position (SI) participated in this study. Neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort after the workday immediately was subjectively evaluated by 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) in neck, shoulder, low-back and leg regions. Visual-motor coordination was assessed by Grooved Pegboard test and hand grip strength for both arms was tested by hand dynamometer before and after the workday. The results indicated that after the workday, subjectively evaluated neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in ST group was higher (p<0.05) in posterior calf region compared with SI group. SI group felt subjectively significantly higher (p<0.05) neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in shoulder region after the workday as compared to ST group. Before the workday, the Grooved Pegboard test time was shorter (p<0.05) in SI group, whereas hand grip strength for right arm was higher (p<0.05) in ST group. No significant workrelated changes were found in Grooved Pegboard test time and hand grip strength in the measured groups. It was concluded that following the workday, subjectively evaluated neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort was more pronounced in ST group in posterior calf region and in SI group in shoulder muscles. No significant fatigue-induced changes in visual-motor coordination and in voluntary isometric forcegeneration capacity of hand muscles were established in female sales workers following the workday.