Changes in physical performance among construction workers during extended workweeks with 12-hour workdays

PurposeTo investigate changes of physical performance during long working hours and extended workweeks among construction workers with temporary accommodation in camps.MethodsNineteen construction workers with 12-h workdays and extended workweeks participated. Physical performance in the morning and evening of the second and eleventh workdays was tested by endurance, ability to react to a sudden load, flexibility of the back, handgrip strength and sub-maximal HR during a bicycle test. HR was registered throughout two separate workdays.ResultsHR during each of the two separate workdays corresponded to a relative workload of 25%. Sub-maximal HR was lower, reaction time faster and handgrip strength higher in the end of each test day. In the end of the work period, sub-maximal HR was lower, reaction time faster and sitting balance was better.ConclusionNo trends of decreased physical performance were found after a workday or a work period.

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