WORK LOAD AND MUSCULOSKELETAL COMPLAINTS DURING PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVES - Many pregnant women have musculoskeletal complaints, the onset and aggravation of which are thought to be associated with their activity or work postures. The purpose of this paper was to obtain mo re insight into the influence of pregnancy on the load of the musculos keletal system at work to provide a better basis for preventing compla ints. METHODS - To this end, literature pertinent to a model called '' work load of the musculoskeletal system'' was reviewed. The model was developed to describe how work contributes to musculoskeletal complain ts. RESULTS - It was found that pregnancy causes changes in a worker's characteristics. These changes can lead to changes in the work situat ion, activity pattern, and postural characteristics and possibly resul t in a change in work load. In addition, physical changes such as weig ht gain increase the work load in a given posture. The load-bearing ca pacity of the musculoskeletal system decreases due to pregnancy. CONCL USIONS - The changes in load and the decrease in load-bearing capacity singly or simultaneously increase the risk of musculoskeletal complai nts. The multifactorial cause of musculoskeletal complaints during pre gnancy reveals various possibilities for prevention.