The objective of this study is to identify the type of occupational related musculoskeletal disorder among Malaysian Shipping Industry workers and to determine the relationship between workers sosio demographic factors with occupational related musculoskeletal disorder and injuries. This is a cross sectional, retrospective study using secondary data that is available at the physiotherapy centre of Malaysia Shipping in Selangor. The study population is the shipping port workers received physiotherapy treatment from 2011 and 2012. A total of 90 samples comprise of 85 male workers and the remaining is female. The mean age is 34.1 (±7.36). Crane operator is the largest number of workers seeks for physiotherapy treatment (68), office (15) and 7 from maintenance. The mean of employment duration is 8.02 (±4.47) years with the maintenance group of workers have longest working duration of 9 years. Muscle and ligament sprain strain known to be the commonest condition (80%) refer for physiotherapy rehabilitation, tendinitis (14%) and fracture (6%). Young age group of workers were significantly 9 times higher (95% CI 1.83 – 40.35) of getting back injuries. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder based on work categories vary with office type workers has 4.5 times higher (95% CI 1.06 – 19.7) on hand injuries. This study has revealed that workers age, different type of work categories, working experience, and body mass composition were associates with the occupational related injuries. The training programme emphasise on preventive measures should be tailored to empower the employee on safety measures at work.
This study determined the effectiveness of a 3-month group-based multicomponent exercise program in the mobility, balance confidence, and muscle performance of older adults. A total of 40 participants (mean age=70.60±6.25 years completed pre- and posttest clinical intervention measures of mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, balance confidence using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, upper limb strength (handgrip dynamometer), and lower limb function (30-sec chair rise test). Data were analyzed using paired t-test and based on TUG criteria for risk of fall (low- and high-risk groups). Significant improvements were found in all measures (All P<0.05) following the 3-month program. Measures according to the risk of fall categories were also significantly improved (P<0.01), except the left handgrip strength (P>0.05). The low-risk group showed a higher improvement in mobility (14.87% vs. 11.74%), balance confidence (34.21% vs. 26.08%), and lower limb function (96.87% vs. 21.20%) but was not significantly different from the high-risk group (P>0.05). A group-based multicomponent exercise program benefited the physical functions of older adults at low- or high risk of falls.