Dimensioning of the Work Environment and Prevalence of Pain in University Staff

Aims: The research aimed to investigate the correlation between musculoskeletal pain and the dimensions of the work environment during sitting posture among university staff.

Methodology: The evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain using a recall record. The measurements in the sitting working posture evaluated were: popliteal height, height from elbow to seat, table height, thigh height, hip width and sacral length. The arrangement of the workstation was also evaluated, and the height of the monitor was checked. All measurements were made using a measuring tape, with a 1mm scale. The study comprised university staff from UNICENTRO who voluntarily participated in the research.

Results: The results of measurement vs estimated height, for male there was different in all variables (chair to floor, arm bent to the chair, depth measurement, eyes to the ground and table to monitor), in female group just in chair to floor, arm bent to the chair, depth measurement and table to monitor (p<0.05). The comparation of without pain vs with pain for male, there was difference in measurement from chair to floor and measurement from eyes to ground, in female group just measurement from table to monitor, (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results suggest that inadequate work station conditions can be linked to development of pain.