To date, no population-based epidemiological studies have estimated the association between physical workload (standing or walking, carrying heavy loads, carrying people, repetitive hand or arm movements, wearing protective equipment) and work-related back pain in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical workload and work-related back pain using a nationwide survey.

We analyzed data obtained from working men and women age 15 to 64 (n=10,043) who participated in the 2006 national working condition survey of random sample workers in Korea. Using both simple and multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between physical workload and work-related back pain was evaluated.

Carrying heavy loads, repetitive hand or arm movements, and wearing protective equipment were associated with an increased risk of work-related back pain.

This study identifies that an increased risk of work-related back pain related to the nature and intensity of the physical workload of the general working population in Korea. We also found a strong association between repetitive hand or arm movements and back pain.