M. Barnekowbergkvist et al., DETERMINANTS OF SELF-REPORTED NECK-SHOULDER AND LOW-BACK SYMPTOMS IN A GENERAL-POPULATION, Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976), 23(2), 1998, pp. 235-243
Study Design. A combined cross-sectional and longitudinal design. Obje
ctives, To investigate relation between, on one hand, self-reported ne
ck-shoulder symptoms and, on the other hand, low back symptoms and sel
f-reported work-related physical load, psychosocial factors, and indiv
idual characteristics and to study the influence of physical capacity
in adolescence on neck-shoulder and low back symptoms in adulthood, Su
mmary of Background Data. Heavy physical work and exposure to vibratio
n constitute risk factors for low back problems, and repetitive and st
atic work are risk factors for neck-shoulder symptoms in many jobs. Th
e interplay between individual factors and work-related psychosocial a
nd physical exposure, however, is not well documented. This study addr
esses effects of adolescent capacity on this interplay in a general po
pulation. Methods, A random sample of 425 Swedish students was investi
gated when the students were 16 years and 34 years of age. Sixty-five
percent participated in both examinations; only those who worked great
er than or equal to 16 hours/week at the follow-up period, 148 men and
90 women, were included in these analyses, Data about musculoskeletal
Symptoms, work, and sociodemographic and individual characteristics w
ere collected at the age of 34 years; physical performance data were c
ollected at the ages of 16 years and 34 years. Results, Among the men,
self-employment and worry were associated with neck-shoulder symptoms
; among the women, monotonous work and high decision latitude were ass
ociated with neck-shoulder symptoms. Low back problems were related to
monotonous work among men and women and to exposure to vibration amon
g men, Performance in certain fitness tests at the ages of 16 years an
d 34 years was negatively associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Co
nclusions. The inverse relationship between performance at the age of
16 years and adult musculoskeletal symptoms may imply benefits of earl
y fitness training.