| The Relationship Between Joint Range of Motion and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Female Hairdressers: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study |
| Paper ID : 1428-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
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Safoura Ghasemi *1, Shahnaz Shahrjerdi2, Fatemeh Kalantari3 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran. 2Department of Sports Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran. 3Department of Sports Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the leading causes of reduced productivity, diminished quality of life, and chronic disability in occupations involving repetitive movements and prolonged static postures (1). These disorders account for over 17% of occupational disabilities globally (2). Given the role of joint mobility in specialized tasks, this study aimed to examine the relationship between joint range of motion and musculoskeletal discomfort in female hairdressers.. Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among female hairdressers working in Arak, Iran. Inclusion criteria were age 25–35 years, minimum of 3 years of work experience, no history of rheumatic diseases or limb surgery. A total of 42 participants were assessed, with a mean age of 29.21±3.48 years, height 164.48±5.59 cm, weight 64.27±9.93 kg, work experience 10.05±3.35 years, and BMI 23.73±3.29 (kg/m2). Musculoskeletal discomfort was evaluated using the standardized Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) (3), and joint range of motion in the neck, trunk, shoulder, forearm, wrist, and knee was measured using a goniometer (4). Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and Spearman’s correlation was applied using SPSS version 26 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The highest prevalence of pain was reported in the shoulder, neck, and forearm regions. A significant positive correlation was found between forearm range of motion and musculoskeletal discomfort (rₛ = 0.318, P = 0.040), consistent with the repetitive and fine motor tasks performed in hairdressing. No significant correlations were observed in other body regions (P > 0.05).. Conclusion: Forearm joint mobility plays a key role in the development of occupational pain among female hairdressers. Ergonomic interventions focusing on improving forearm flexibility, redesigning manual tools, and scheduling regular breaks may help reduce musculoskeletal discomfort. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are recommended to evaluate the impact of mobility enhancement on occupational pain reduction. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), Female hairdressers, Joint range of motion, Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), Occupational ergonomics |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
