Contribución a la ergonomia desde el análisis de la condición física en una muestra de trabajadores mineros con/sin síndrome de dolor lumbar (Región de Antofagasta, Chile) / Contribution to ergonomics from the analysis of physical condition in a sample of mine workers with and without lumbar pain (Region of Antofagasta, Chile)

ABSTRACT

Using a transversal design, we studied 40 male workers of a mining company in the north of Chile, in order to identify indicators of the physical conditions related to the syndrome of lumbar pain (SLP). The overall prevalence of SLP was 67.5%; the factors of physical condition, abdominal strength, fatigue of spinal erectors, general flexibility, lumbar flexibility and waist circumference were statistically associated with SLP. Although obesity and overweight were present in 65% of the studied sample, there was no statistical difference between the studied groups except for waist circumference. We conclude that ergonomics offers alternatives with scientific rigor which allow an adequate therapeutic and prophylactic management of this work-related pathology.