As the prevalence of obesity grows worldwide, it becomes an increasing concern in working populations. Ergonomists are faced with the challenge of accommodating workplace layouts to include this worker demographic. This study investigated the relationship between shoulder and low back isometric joint strengths across body mass index (BMI) groups. Additionally, relationships between body fat percentage (BF%), absolute strength, and strength normalized to body mass were examined. Ninety, healthy, working age participants performed 11 functional and isometric joint strength exertions. BMI group influenced normalized strength, as the obese 2+ (BMI >35.0) group had up to 63.1% lower joint strength than all other BMI groups (p < 0.05). Significant strong to moderate negative linear relationships existed between BF% and normalized strength for both males and females, and relationships were stronger for females. These strength deficits highlight the importance of considering body composition during ergonomics analyses and configuration of occupational tasks.

随着肥胖症在世界范围内的流行，它成为工作人群越来越关注的问题。人体工程学面临着适应工作场所布局以包括这一工人人口的挑战。本研究调查了不同体重指数 (BMI) 组的肩部和腰部等长关节强度之间的关系。此外，还检查了体脂百分比 (BF%)、绝对力量和标准化为体重的力量之间的关系。90 名健康的工作年龄参与者进行了 11 次功能性和等长关节力量训练。BMI 组影响标准化强度，因为肥胖 2+（BMI >35.0）组的关节强度比所有其他 BMI 组低 63.1%（p < 0.05）。男性和女性的 BF% 和归一化强度之间存在显着的强到中度负线性关系，女性的关系更强。这些力量不足突出了在人体工程学分析和职业任务配置过程中考虑身体成分的重要性。