Research Article

INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS

Volume: 9 July 15, 2026
EN TR

INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of anthropometric characteristics and workplace ergonomic factors on musculoskeletal health of ambulance personnel working in 112 Emergency Medical Services from an occupational health and safety perspective. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 55 ambulance personnel (33 males, 22 females) in Kocaeli, Türkiye. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and Ergonomic Evaluation Inventory for Emergency Ambulances (EEIEA). Participants' height, body weight, and upper and lower extremity lengths were measured. Statistical analyses included Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn’s post hoc, and Spearman correlation analyses. Results: A total of 76.4% of participants perceived their working environment as ergonomically inadequate. CMDQ results showed musculoskeletal complaints were most frequent in the neck, upper back, and spine. Female personnel had significantly higher scores than males in neck, upper back, right shoulder, right wrist, right upper extremity, and total spine regions (p<0.05). Although total CMDQ scores were higher in females, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). EEIEA results indicated ambulance ergonomic suitability was moderate. No significant correlations were found between anthropometric measurements and CMDQ or EEIEA scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Ambulance personnel are exposed to considerable ergonomic risks, and inadequate workplace ergonomics may affect musculoskeletal health. Female personnel reported higher discomfort levels than males. These findings emphasize the importance of considering anthropometric characteristics in ambulance design and improving ergonomic conditions. Ergonomic interventions and preventive occupational health and safety strategies are recommended to support employee health and well-being

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Non-Interventional Ethics Committee of Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Kocaeli, Turkey

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Non-Interventional Ethics Committee of Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Kocaeli, Turkey (Decision No: 2025/184; Date: 08.09.2025).

Thanks

We hereby declare that the data presented in this manuscript were derived, in part, from the Master's thesis of Simge Dırmıkcı. In addition, part of this Master's thesis was presented as an oral presentation at the 2nd Turkish Health Services Congress, organized by the Turkish Emergency Medicine Association, held on 26-28 March 2026.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Anatomy, Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 15, 2026

Submission Date

June 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9

APA
Dırmıkcı, S., & Kılıç, B. (2026). INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS. Acta Medica Nicomedia, 9, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014
AMA
1.Dırmıkcı S, Kılıç B. INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS. Acta Medica Nicomedia. 2026;9:1-10. doi:10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014
Chicago
Dırmıkcı, Simge, and Buket Kılıç. 2026. “INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS”. Acta Medica Nicomedia 9 (July): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014.
EndNote
Dırmıkcı S, Kılıç B (July 1, 2026) INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS. Acta Medica Nicomedia 9 1–10.
IEEE
[1]S. Dırmıkcı and B. Kılıç, “INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS”, Acta Medica Nicomedia, vol. 9, pp. 1–10, July 2026, doi: 10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014.
ISNAD
Dırmıkcı, Simge - Kılıç, Buket. “INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS”. Acta Medica Nicomedia 9 (July 1, 2026): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014.
JAMA
1.Dırmıkcı S, Kılıç B. INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS. Acta Medica Nicomedia. 2026;9:1–10.
MLA
Dırmıkcı, Simge, and Buket Kılıç. “INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS”. Acta Medica Nicomedia, vol. 9, July 2026, pp. 1-10, doi:10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014.
Vancouver
1.Simge Dırmıkcı, Buket Kılıç. INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS, ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AMONG AMBULANCE WORKERS. Acta Medica Nicomedia. 2026 Jul. 1;9:1-10. doi:10.53446/actamednicomedia.1963014

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