Anthropometric Measurement-Related Musculoskeletal Complaints in Office Workers

Abstract

One of the factors blamed for the musculo-skeletal problems seen in office workers is incompatibility between staff anthropometric measurements and the working environment. This study was intended to evaluate musculo-skeletal complaints in individuals whose measurement values deviated very slightly from average. The height, arm, forearm, hand length and sitting height values of 172 office workers were measured. Separate mean and standard deviation values were determined for men and women. Subjects with mean ± 1 SD measurements and subjects with values outside these measurements were then compared in terms of complaints in the previous 12 months using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Individuals with sitting height, arm length, forearm length and hand length measurements exceeding mean ± 1 SD exhibited more frequent symptoms in various regions of the body. We think that working environments being adaptable to employees’ body measurements will lead to fewer complaints arising in office workers’ musculo-skeletal systems.

Keywords: Office workers, anthropometric measurement, musculoskeletal complaints