In addition, the contribution of occupational mechanical exposure to the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms has been criticized [ 21- 23].
Our aim was to provide independent exposure estimates for use in general population studies of the influence of mechanical exposures to the lower body on risk of primary hip and knee OA leading to total joint replacement [ 32].
In this paper we present a new two-dimensional JEM with job groups based on all currently used occupational titles in the Danish version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (D-ISCO 88) [ 31] on one axis and expert ratings of five specific mechanical exposures to the lower extremities on the other.
The contribution of occupational mechanical exposure (i.e. duration of computer use, working postures, and computer design) to the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms has received ample attention.
Steps corresponding to the unfolding of reduced CD4D1 and CD4D2 at ∼29 and ∼22 nm, respectively, are barely observed, indicating that disulfide bonds remain oxidized and buried within the structure of the domains in the absence of mechanical exposure.
B. What is the relative contribution of occupational mechanical exposure, occupational psychosocial exposure, leisure time exposure and individual factors to the incidence of hand-arm and neck-shoulder symptoms among office workers?
To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply a comprehensive selection of instruments for mechanical exposure assessment in a real life working situation, including measurements of EMG, force, postures, physical activity and cardiovascular variables.
Muscle model limitations notwithstanding, this approach allows system designers to understand the mechanical exposure and fatigue-related effects of proposed alternatives in system design stages and can contribute to 'Virtual Human Factors' approaches for pro-active ergonomics capability.
Until more accurate and precise methods for exposure assessment have been developed that are feasible for use in large scale population studies of hip and knee OA and other lower extremity disorders, we find it promising to explore the avenue of a JEM approach based on expert ratings of mechanical exposures.
