Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: Regarding the increasing growth in jobs dealing with computers and the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among VDT users, the assessment and identification of ergonomic risk factors are of greater importance. This study aimed to evaluate MSDs among office VDT users.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 participants (37 females and 34 males) selected randomly among administrative staff of Isfahan Art University. CMD questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of MSDs and for measuring ergonomic risk factors ROSA method was employed in VDT stations.

Results: According to ROSA risk levels, 21% (15 participants) were at low risk (score of less than 3), 48% (34 participants) were in the notification area (score 3 to 5) and 31% (22 participants) were in the need area for ergonomic intervention (score of more than 5). Sex, body mass index, educational level and work experience had significant impacts on ROSA final score (p<0.001). There was a positive significant correlation between ROSA final score and MSDs in the participants (p<0.001, r=0.828).

Introduction: Metro driving is one of the newest jobs in Iran. Due to the lack of studies about train drivers’ workload, there is no comprehensive information about factors that effect workload. This study aimed at analyzing the factors that may effect driver workload, in order to recommend control measures.

Methods: In this mixed method study, data generation was done through field observations, document reviews, individual interviews, focus group interviews, and focus group discussions. In order to perform field data collection, the institute for occupational ergonomics and CCD Design and Ergonomics Ltd’s developed tools were used. Directed content analysis was used for qualitative data analysis.

Results: Overall, 65 factors were extracted as the factors that may effect driver workload. The extracted factors were drawn on a fishbone diagram, over 8 categories, including management, supervision and organizational climate, infrastructure, job design, journey, and environmental as distal factors and time pressure, information exchanges, and individual factors as proximal factors.

Conclusions: Some of the distal factors are the nature of an urban transport system, so the only amendment is compensatory programs, and some of them could be resolved by long-term plans. Workload of train drivers could be reduced with a focus on the proximal factors in the short-term, and the distal factors in the long-term.

Introduction: Application and correct interpretation of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in medical, therapeutic, and exercise settings requires normal values of the 6MWT. The aim of this study was to develop and cross-validate the 6MWT prediction equation in Iranian healthy children and adolescent males.
Methods: The 6MWT and anthropometric variables were measured in 391 males (8 to 17 years old) with standard methods. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between distances walked in the 6MWT and independent variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to design 6MWT prediction equation from dependent variables. Furthermore, accuracy of the present 6MWT prediction equation was cross-validated.
Results: Significant correlation was found between distances walked in the 6MWT and anthropometric characteristics (P < 0.001). Multiple stepwise regression reviled that age and Body Mass Index (BMI) could explain 63% of the variability of 6MWT in children and adolescent males (r²= 0.627, SEE= 36 m, P < 0.001). Accuracy of native 6MWT prediction equation was approved by good correlation between measured and predicted distance walked in the 6MWT (r² = 0.79, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: This is the first study on the development of native 6MWD reference values. With application of this 6MWD prediction equation, physicians, physical therapists, and fitness coaches could receive correct feedback of pharmacological, rehabilitation, and exercise interventions.