Is there an ideal comfort zone for writing in blackboard to prevent shoulder pain in teachers

Abstract

Shoulder disorders represent are highly related with occupational diseases and teachers are included among professionals who have this joint overloaded by working postures. The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among these professionals and to establish a comfort zone for writing on a blackboard. The evaluation of complaints was performed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Map of Postural Discomfort (or Postural Discomfort Map) in 82 Elementary and High School teachers. The comfort zone was evaluated by psychophysical study using the Visual Analogue and Borg Scales. The results showed that lumbar spine, legs and right shoulder had higher rates of complaints and heights between 20 cm above and 20 cm below shoulder level showed no discomfort to blackboard writing (p.<05). It was concluded that teachers may have postural overload on shoulder depending on the height that they write on the blackboard.