Biomedical subjects

A J Van der Beek

Publications and source records attributed to A J Van der Beek.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Dose-response relation between physical activity and sick leave.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose-response relation between moderate and vigorous physical activity and sick leave in a working population. METHODS: Data were used from three large Dutch databases: two continuous, cross sectional surveys among a representative sample of the Dutch population and one prospective cohort study. A distinction was made between duration, frequency and intensity of physical activity. The outcome measure was the number of days of sick leave. Analyses of variance were used to compare sick leave (in days) for workers with different amounts of physical activity, in particular workers meeting the physical activity recommendations v those who did not. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to obtain effect estimates in the prospective cohort study, with the generalised estimating equation (GEE) method. RESULTS: No relation was found between moderate physical activity and sick leave. In two databases, workers meeting the recommendation of vigorous physical activity (active at a vigorous level for at least three times a week) had significantly less sick leave: more than one day over two months and more than four days over a year. The duration of vigorous physical activity was not associated with sick leave. CONCLUSION: Physical activity at a vigorous intensity level for at least three times a week, as in the CDC/ACSM recommendation, has a positive effect on sick leave.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A one season prospective cohort study of volleyball injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the overall incidence of acute and overuse volleyball injuries, and to describe factors associated with ankle sprains. METHODS: 486 players from the second and third Dutch national volleyball divisions participated in the study and were followed prospectively during a whole season. Three measurements were made during the season (baseline, follow up 1, and follow up 2), where all players completed a questionnaire on demographic variables (only at baseline), sports participation, use of preventive measures, and previous injuries. Volleyball exposure during training and matches was recorded for each individual player by the coach on a weekly exposure form. In case of injury the coach provided the injured player with an injury registration form, which had to be completed within one week after the onset of injury. RESULTS: 100 injuries were reported, resulting in an overall injury incidence of 2.6 injuries/1000 hours. The incidence of acute injuries was 2.0/1000 hours. Ankle sprains (n = 41) accounted for most of the acute injuries, and 31 (75%) of all players with an ankle sprain reported a previous ankle sprain. Twenty five overuse injuries were reported. The overall incidence of overuse injuries was 0.6/1000 hours; the back and the shoulder were the most common sites. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle sprain is the most common injury in volleyball, accounting for 41% of all volleyball related injuries. Previous injury seems to be an important risk factor for an ankle sprain. Injury prevention programmes should focus on ankle sprains and concentrate on players with previous ankle sprains.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Validity of a diary estimating exposure to tasks, activities, and postures of the trunk.

The validity of a diary that estimates exposure to tasks, activities, and postures of the trunk was determined by comparing these self-reported exposure data with observational data of a whole working day. Two populations were studied: 32 professional drivers and five nurses. The nurses and 16 drivers also filled out a shortened version of the diary during another working day. Both versions of the diary showed poor agreement with observations over the same period. However, for variables concerning activities and postures of the trunk agreement was improved by the shortening of the diary. It is concluded that in epidemiologic studies observational measurements of exposure cannot validly be replaced by diaries or similar self-reported exposure data, because the self-reports easily lead to misclassification.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The relations between work demands and health complaints in lorry drivers. A model tested by means of LISREL.

In this study, data of a questionnaire study among 439 lorry drivers were fitted to a model in which work demands and the worker's decision latitude are related to musculoskeletal complaints and general psychosomatic complaints. Structural analysis with LISREL was used to investigate the hypothesized relations. Two modifications resulted in a chi 2 of overall fit equal to 77.35 with 47 degrees of freedom. The quality of model fit was considered to be satisfactory when the sample size was taken into account. The values of the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (0.948) and the Root Mean Square Residuals (0.029) indicated the same. The standardized solution of LISREL showed that work demands with respect to task contents were significantly related to musculoskeletal complaints as well as to general psychosomatic complaints (0.75 and 0.34 respectively, both P < 0.001). This conceptual variable was indicated by physical activities that the drivers had to perform. The relations between work-related psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal complaints were weak. Another significant effect on general psychosomatic complaints was found for work demands with respect to terms of employment (0.30, P < 0.001). This conceptual variable was indicated by variables concerning working hours and pressure of the work. It is recommended that in future occupational epidemiology, both physical and psychosocial aspects of the working situation be related to health effects, rather than solely a single exposure variable.

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