Theoretical and Applied Ergonomics

Maximum aerobic capacity (MAC) helps in physical work capacity evaluation. In practice, the construction jobs are designed using the standard treadmill or ergometer MAC value, which is inappropriate and leads to injuries. According to NIOSH, the average oxygen consumption during an 8 h day is recommended to be no more than 33% of the exercise-specific MAC. Therefore, there is a necessity for construction activity-specific MAC exercise protocols and estimation models. The aim of the study is to develop MAC estimation models for common construction activities such as walking, carrying, lifting, and combined (carrying, dragging, hammering, lifting, and wrenching) using the submaximal exercise test mode. Ten male participants performed all four activities at three different intensities for five minutes each. The oxygen uptake and heart rate were recorded for each trial. This study shows that the average MAC value for walking, carrying, lifting, and combined activities is 0.779 gpm (2.95 L/m), 0.674 gpm (2.55 L/m), 0.745 gpm (2.82 L/m), and 0.608 gpm (2.30 L/m), respectively. The MAC value of combined construction activities is significantly lower than walking (28%), carrying (11%), and lifting (22%). The study recommends using a construction activity-specific exercise protocol for evaluating jobs or workers to prevent a mismatch between job demands and worker capabilities.

Nurses in Africa are exposed to musculoskeletal disorders at work (WMSDs). They are multifactorial and may be related to demographic, economic, and quality-of-life factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nurses’ age, experience, body mass index (BMI), and macroscopic indices such as nurse-to-bed ratio, Human Development Index (HDI), and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the overall prevalence and prevalence by body area. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted during September 2025. ScienceDirect, PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science.gov, and Mendeley were scanned without a date limit. The article selection, review, critical appraisal, and data extraction were performed by two authors independently. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used for reporting the search results. Among the 4305 identified records, 18 studies included for a total of 4266. The overall prevalence was pooled at 77.4%. Subgroup analyses demonstrated a decrease in WMSDs with age, and nurse-to-bed ratio, and an increase in lower limb WMSDs with experience, BMI, GDP, and HDI (for most of body areas). Future work could examine the effect of the nurse-to-bed ratio by considering the resources of a facility and conducting more in-depth analyses by subgroup. The development of ergonomic programs remains essential to the well-being at work of African nurses.

Adults, on average, spend between 55% and 70% of their waking hours primarily in prolonged sitting, and such sedentary behavior has been associated with several health problems. Prolonged sitting postures during work hours are often mandated by the nature of the work task performed. Sit-to-stand workstations offer the benefit of transitioning from and between sitting to standing postures. However, most of the literature on sit-to-stand workstations is focused on generalized office workers, but different occupations have a whole different set of work-specific tasks that can inhibit the appropriate use of sit-to-stand workstations. Therefore, this narrative review aims to summarize various occupations that utilize or can utilize sit-to-stand workstations, including their nature of work tasks, the associated needs, benefits, pitfalls, and recommendations for improved workplace ergonomics. This narrative review summarizes important but less researched occupations such as emergency dispatchers, architects, customer support representatives, general practitioners, engineers, pharmacists, and laboratory research scientists, along with generalized office workers. The review will be of benefit to different health care professionals, work safety and ergonomic professionals, and individuals in each of the occupations discussed to better understand sit-to-stand workstations and their use to promote health and safety in the workplace.