The Relationship between Lifting Capacity with the NIOSH Equation and the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders with the RULA Method in Health Service Personal of Isfahan, Iran

Experts and staff of rehabilitation centers often do their activities without following the appropriate ergonomic principles and the correct methods of manual load handling. Therefore، gradually and with the repetition of these activities they place themselves at risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this research is the assessment of lifting capacity by the NIOSH equation and its relationship to musculoskeletal disorders in health service personal of Isfahan، Iran. This descriptive، cross-sectional study was performed on 41 employees with various positions in the rehabilitation centers of Isfahan. The sampling method was census. The rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method was used to evaluate the posture of these employees. The load carrying capacity of these individuals was calculated by the NIOSH equation، and the data was analyzed by Spearman’s correlation، Pearson’s correlation، and SPSS software version 18. Spearman’s correlation test showed no significant relationship between load carrying capacity and severity of musculoskeletal disorders. However، there was a direct significant correlation between severity of curvature of the body and musculoskeletal disorders (P = 0. 005). Pearson’s correlation test showed no significant correlation between the distance of load from the body (P = 0. 099) and height (P = 0. 373)، with load carrying capacity. Findings of study showed that load carrying capacity cannot directly lead to musculoskeletal disorders. However، it can help cause these disorders indirectly and through variables effecting load carrying capacity، such as severity of curvature and rotation of the body when picking up a load.