The COVID-19 Pandemic Decreases Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study in Industry

Background: We aimed to determine if maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), resting heart rate (RHR), and self-reported leisure- time moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) changed over a 3-year follow-up (FU) among industrial workers. Methods: We assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) August 2018 and August 2021. The last 17–18 months coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 86 participants were collected; demographics by questionnaire and cardiovascular outcomes from medical examination: V˙ O2max, RHR, and fat mass (%). Workers reported on their leisure-time MVPA twice. To assess changes in health outcomes we applied a linear mixed model, adjusting for baseline (BL) age, sex, pack-years, shift work, and a 5-month plant shutdown. Further, we adjusted for actual age instead of BL age. Results: V˙ O2max decreased from 39.6 mL/kg/min at BL to 34.0 at FU, a reduction of 5.6 mL/kg/min (95%CI, −7.6, −3.7). Adjusted for actual age, the corresponding figure for V˙ O2max was 5.4 mL/kg/min, (95%CI, −7.4, −3.4), an annual loss of 4.6%. RHR increased from 61.3 to 64.4 beats per minute (95%CI, 0.8, 5.4). Self-reported MVPA decreased by 43.9 min/week, (95%CI, −73.5, −14.4). Conclusions: We observed a decrease in V˙ O2max, an increase in RHR and a decrease in self-reported MVPA, suggesting physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.The COVID-19 Pandemic Decreases Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study in IndustrypublishedVersio

Kunnskapsstatus ved dykking innaskjærs og i offshorevirksomheten

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Longitudinal decline in pulmonary diffusing capacity among nitrate fertilizer workers

Background: This study is part of a 3-year follow-up of lung function among nitrate fertilizer production workers. Aims: To study the possible adverse effects of occupational exposure to aerosols and gases on pulmonary diffusing capacity. Methods: A longitudinal study of a cohort of fertilizer workers who performed single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) tests and spirometry in 2007 and 2010. The workers completed a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking habits. Exposure to mineral dust, acid aerosols and inorganic gases was measured. The overall median inhalable and thoracic aerosol mass concentrations were 1.1mg/m3 (min–max: <0.93–45) and 0.21mg/m3 (min–max: <0.085–11), respectively. Results: There were 308 participants in 2007 with 168 returning subjects in 2010. Overall, we found a statistically significant decline in the DLco of 0.068 mmol/min/kPa/year, adjusted for gender, age, height, weight, smoking status and doctor-diagnosed asthma during the 3-year follow-up (P < 0.01). The change in DLco did not vary significantly between the various job groups. Subjects with respiratory symptoms did not show a larger decline in DLco than those without symptoms. Conclusions: This study indicates a larger than expected decline in the DLco of fertilizer workers during a 3-year follow-up. However, the decline was not related to specific exposures at work, or to possible covariates of exposure.Longitudinal decline in pulmonary diffusing capacity among nitrate fertilizer workerspublishedVersio

High-Intensity Training Reduces CVD Risk Factors among Rotating Shift Workers: An Eight-Week Intervention in Industry

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Sleep Duration, number of awakenings and arterial stiffness in industrial shift workers. A five-week follow-up study

Shift work may increase the risk for hypertension and arterial stiffness, potentially a consequence of disturbed sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between sleep length and spontaneous awakenings with selected cardiovascular risk factors in shift workers at an industrial plant. We examined 19 shift workers by means of blood pressure and arterial stiffness, measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV), prior to and after a 5-week shift period. Sleep patterns were monitored on a daily basis with the assistance of a smartphone-based sleep diary (the entire test period) and by actigraphy (limited to 2 weeks). The number of awakenings and total sleep time were calculated. Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher blood pressure and partly with higher PWV, indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with reduced sleep duration. Unexpectedly, a lower number of awakenings was associated with an increase in blood pressure, indicating a reduced risk of CVD. No other significant associations were determined. The results from the present study among shift workers in Norway could support the hypothesis that short sleep duration is associated with elevated blood pressure and arterial stiffnessSleep Duration, number of awakenings and arterial stiffness in industrial shift workers. A five-week follow-up studypublishedVersio

Cross-shift study of exposure–response relationships between bioaerosol exposure and respiratory effects in the Norwegian grain and animal feed production industry

Objective: We have studied cross-shift respiratory responses of several individual bioaerosol components of the dust in the grain and feed industry in Norway. Methods: Cross-shift changes in lung function and nasal congestion, as well as in respiratory and systemic symptoms of 56 exposed workers and 36 referents, were recorded on the same day as full-shift exposure to the inhalable aerosol fraction was assessed. Exposure–response associations were investigated by regression analysis. Results: The workers were exposed on average to 1.0 mg/m3 of grain dust, 440 EU/m3 of endotoxin, 6 µg/m3 of β-1,3-glucans, 17×104/m3 of bacteria and 4×104/m3 of fungal spores during work. The exposure was associated with higher prevalence of self-reported eye and airway symptoms, which were related to the individual microbial components in a complex manner. Fatigue and nose symptoms were strongest associated with fungal spores, cough with or without phlegm was associated with grain dust and fungal spores equally strong and wheeze/tight chest/dyspnoea was strongest associated with grain dust. Bioaerosol exposure did not lead to cross-shift lung function decline, but several microbial components had influence on nose congestion. Conclusions: Exposure to fungal spores and dust showed stronger associations with respiratory symptoms and fatigue than endotoxin exposure. The associations with dust suggest that there are other components in dust than the ones studied that induce these effects.Cross-shift study of exposure–response relationships between bioaerosol exposure and respiratory effects in the Norwegian grain and animal feed production industrypublishedVersio

Psychometric properties and validation of the Brief NORSCI safety perceptions and climate inventory in the Norwegian waste management industry

A valid, standardized tool for assessing workplace safety can help organizations and employers to detect potential safety risks. This is crucial to improve safety and protect employees and production against accidents and injuries. As no such tool has so far been developed for the waste management industry, this study aimed to establish the psychometric properties and the concurrent validity of the 11-item Brief Norwegian Safety Climate Inventory (Brief NORSCI). A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 543 workers from the formal Norwegian waste management industry. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the Brief NORSCI exhibited good psychometric properties. Replicating previous validation studies of the inventory, the findings suggested a three-factor structure reflecting Individual intention and motivation, Management’s prioritization of safety, and Safety routines. The three first-order factors of the inventory could be combined in a composite second-order safety climate factor. Both the overall composite score and the three subscales correlated in the expected directions with measures of job characteristics (i.e., job demands and resources), leadership, social climate, and severe accidents, thus indicating high concurrent validity. This study supported the validity and reliability of the Brief NORSCI as an assessment tool to measure both individual safety perceptions and group level safety climate among waste management workers. The findings suggest that application of the Brief NORSCI as a safety assessment tool may contribute to the development of a stronger safety profile among organizations and companies in waste management.Psychometric properties and validation of the Brief NORSCI safety perceptions and climate inventory in the Norwegian waste management industrypublishedVersio

The effect of a leisure time physical activity intervention delivered via a workplace. 15-Month Follow-Up Study

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