Comparison of Fatigue Level, Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Activity Level in Aircraft Engineers Working in the Morning Shift and Night Shift

Abstract

Background Shift work is a system in which different groups of workers work at different times of the day and night. It may affect the physiological health of an individual and hence fatigue, musculoskeletal disorder and changes in physical activity may arise.

Objective To compare the fatigue level, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and physical activity level in aircraft engineers working in morning shift and night shift.

Method The study consisted of 100 aircraft engineers working at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 1. 50 aircraft engineers working in morning shift and 50 aircraft engineers working in night shift participated in the study. Self-administered questionnaire i. e., Chalder Fatigue Scale, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to access the fatigue level, the number of MSDs, and physical activity level, respectively.

Results The results showed significant difference in fatigue level, and the level of physical activity morning shift versus night shift workers (p<0.001). The mean value of fatigue level in morning shift was 4.9 and in night shift was 14.6. The average mean value of physical activity level in morning shift was 1972.61 MET min a week and in night shift was 1277.83 MET min a week. MSDs were more common in night shift workers as compared to morning shift workers.

Conclusion The findings of the study suggested an increased in the level of fatigue and decrease in the physical activity level among aircraft engineers working night shift compared to those working morning shift. There are more MSDs in aircraft engineers working night shift as compared to those working morning shift.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Schichtarbeit ist ein System, in dem verschiedene Gruppen von Arbeitnehmern zu unterschiedlichen Tages- und Nachtzeiten arbeiten. Es kann die physiologische Gesundheit einer Person beeinträchtigen und daher können Müdigkeit, Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen und Veränderungen der körperlichen Aktivität auftreten. Ziel: Vergleich des Ermüdungsniveaus, der Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankung und des körperlichen Aktivitätsniveaus bei Flugzeugingenieuren, die in der Früh- und Nachtschicht arbeiten.

Methode Die Studie bestand aus 100 Flugzeugingenieuren, die am Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 1, arbeiteten. 50 Flugzeugingenieure, die in der Frühschicht arbeiteten, und 50 Flugzeugingenieure, die in der Nachtschicht arbeiteten, nahmen an der Studie teil. Selbst auszufüllende Fragebögen, d. h. Chalder Fatigue Scale, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire und International Physical Activity Questionnaire, wurden verwendet, um auf das Erschöpfungsniveau, die Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankung bzw. das Niveau der körperlichen Aktivität zuzugreifen.

Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse zeigten einen signifikanten Unterschied im Ermüdungsniveau und im Grad der körperlichen Aktivität von Frühschicht- und Nachtschichtarbeitern. Der Mittelwert des Ermüdungsgrads in der Frühschicht betrug 4,9 und in der Nachtschicht 14,6. Der durchschnittliche Mittelwert des körperlichen Aktivitätsniveaus in der Frühschicht betrug 1972,61 und in der Nachtschicht 1277,83. Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen traten bei Nachtschichtarbeitern häufiger auf als bei Frühschichtarbeitern.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse der Studie deuten auf eine erhöhte Ermüdung und eine Abnahme der körperlichen Aktivität bei Flugzeugingenieuren in der Nachtschicht im Vergleich zu denen in der Frühschicht hin. Bei Flugzeugingenieuren in der Nachtschicht treten mehr Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen auf als bei denjenigen, die arbeiten Frühschicht.

Key words

aircraft engineer - morning shift - night shift - fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity

Schlüsselwörter

Luftfahrzeugingenieur - Frühschicht - Nachtschicht - Müdigkeit - MuskelSkelett-Erkrankungen - körperliche Aktivität

Publication History

Received: 15 August 2022

Accepted: 16 January 2023

Article published online:
23 February 2023

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