Occupational Physiology

Description: A clear and accessible text on work physiology, this book focuses on important issues in the modern working life. Taking up some of today's major public health problems - musculoskeletal disorders and stress, this book explains connections between work, well-being and health according to up-to-date research in the field. It gives an orientation of useful methods for risk assessments and provides guidelines on arranging a good working life from the perspective of the working individual, the company and the society as a whole.

Contents: Work, work life, work life physiology, Allan Toomingas, Svend Erik Mathiassen, Ewa Wigaeus Tornqvist Work - a dominating aspect of life Work, load and physiological response Exertion and fatigue Work ability Adaptation - good and bad The prerequisites for human work Work related disorders of the musculoskeletal system Work (life) physiology in a historical perspective Work life physiology - this book Work with high energy load, Ewa Wigaeus Tornqvist The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of demand on high energy load in work life Energy metabolism and physiological adaptations to increased energy load Energy metabolism Mechanical efficiency Oxygen consumption Pulmonary ventilation Circulation of blood Factors that influence the individual load at a given external load Assessments of energy demands at work Work load in relation to physical capacity Effects of high energetic load Recommended limits What to do about work with high energy load? What does the law say about work with high energy load? Summary References and read more Work with high muscular load, Katarina Kjellberg The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters What characterizes work with high muscular load Prevalence of high muscular load in work life The structure and function of the locomotor system Load on the locomotor system at high muscular work Gender aspects Age aspects Physiological response at work with high muscular load Musculoskeletal disorders related to work with high muscular load Risk factors Methods to estimate the load on the locomotor system Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to high muscular load What does the law say about work with high muscle load? What to do about work with high muscular load? Summary References and read more Work in extreme postures, Karin Harms-Ringdahl The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of awkward postures in work life Descriptions of the exposure Normal physiological responses and the underlying mechanisms Potential negative effects of the exposure Prevalence of disorders Risk assessment What to do about critical conditions What does the law say about work in extreme postures? Summary References and read more Work that is highly repetitive, Fredrik hellstrom The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of highly repetitive work in work life Repetitiveness and exposure The physiology of repetitive movement Pathophysiological mechanisms at exposure to highly repetitive movements Consequences of repetitive load on the population level Risk assessment What can be done to minimize the risks of repetitive work? What does the law say about repetitive work? Summary References and read more Long lasting low intensive sedentary work, Allan Toomingas The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of long lasting low intensive sedentary work What characterizes long lasting low intensive sedentary work Muscles at work The arms and hands are flexible but needs stabilization Static load of the muscular system Problems related to long lasting low intensive sedentary work Gender and age related differences Models of explanation Scientific evaluations Sedentariness - a health risk in itself Is this a long lasting low intensive sedentary work? What does the law say about long lasting low intensive sedentary work? Suggestions of what to do? Summary References and read more Work with high mental load, Bo Melin The focus of this chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of work with high mental load Stressors and stress reactions Stress reactions - a somatic response to mental exposures Neural adaptation Endocrine adaptation Stress reactions in two different systems: SAM-system and the HPA-axis The autonomic nerve-system and the sympathico-adrenomedullaru (SAM) system The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems The hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenocortex axis Influence on mental load from conditions relating to organization of work Common psychosocial models The psychosocial environment is perceived differently Individual differences Special factors related to working hours Reducing risks Summary References and read more Work in cold or warm temperatures, Desiree Gavhed The focus ofthis chapter and delimitations to other chapters Prevalence of work in cold or warm temperatures What characterizes work in low or high temperatures? Heat production, heat dissipation and temperature regulation Cold temperature Warm temperatures Indoor air climate Gender aspects on work in extreme temperatures Age aspects on work in extreme temperatures Measurements and evaluations of the thermal climate Interventions on climate problems What does the law say about work in cold or warm temperatures? Summary References and read more A good work life for everyone, Allan Toomingas, Margareta Bratt Carstrom, Svend Erik Mathiassen Work is important The good work - some principles To maintain and to increase work ability What does the law say? Mainstreams in today's working life Balance