Capacity-Demand Matching in Workplace Musculoskeletal Health: A Systematic Review of Integrative Ergonomics and Sports Medicine Interventions
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.62255/mjhp.v4iSuppl%201.317Abstract
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the leading cause of global occupational disability, yet traditional interventions typically isolate ergonomic modifications from physical conditioning, producing inconsistent outcomes across sectors.
Objective: To synthesize multidisciplinary evidence and propose an integrative capacity-demand matching framework that simultaneously reduces task exposure and increases worker physical capacity.
Methods: A systematic synthesis of 106 sources spanning occupational health, ergonomics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine literature (1987-2026) across office, healthcare, manufacturing, and manual-labor settings. Evidence was evaluated for risk mechanisms, exposure assessment, intervention effectiveness, return-to-work (RTW) protocols, and economic outcomes.
Results: MSD risk is cumulative and multifactorial, with overhead work demonstrating a 21% increased risk per 1,000 hours of hand elevation above shoulder level, and overtime schedules carrying a 61% higher injury hazard. Multicomponent programs integrating engineering controls, targeted exercise, and structured RTW protocols consistently outperform single-domain interventions. Engineering controls in patient handling show the highest efficacy, while workplace exercise is most effective for neck pain and less consistent for shoulder disorders.
Conclusion: An integrative capacity-demand matching framework provides the most robust defense against workplace MSDs, necessitating a paradigm shift from isolated interventions to coordinated ergonomics-sports medicine strategies embedded within organizational systems.
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