A cross-sectional study investigated the association between self-reported physical fitness and musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulder, or upper back among workers in 14 plastics factories in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. Physical fitness was assessed on a scale from 0 to 5. Cases were defined as self-reported pain in the previous 12 months, lasting more than a week or having monthly minimum frequency, with restrictions at work or seeking medical care, or where respondents’ severity was greater than 2 (on a scale from 0 to 5). Logistic regression was performed to investigate statistical interaction between physical fitness and physical demands from work in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Precarious physical fitness resulted in 3.19 times greater odds of musculoskeletal disorders among workers exposed to light physical demands on the job. Among workers exposed to heavy physical demands, physical fitness failed to protect against musculoskeletal disorders. Heavy physical work was always associated with high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Despite the importance of physical fitness, physical exercise programs should not be used to replace improvements in working conditions.
Musculoskeletal Diseases; Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Physical Exertion