These tests aim to record capacity with regard to manual material handling, working postures and movements and refer to physical strength, find more endurance or LY2603618 price speed. Providing the evaluator judged the tests to be performed safely, based on observation criteria as movement pattern and postural changes (Reneman et al. 2002), subjects were asked to continue to a higher load level (5 repetitions per level). The static endurance tests were continued

until a preset limit (15 min) was reached. The subject was free to end any test at any moment, for example because of discomfort or pain. Comparisons with the healthy workers were made on 6 standardized tests that represent physical job demands and that were performed in both populations. These tests, the reliability of which has been established (Gross and Battié 2002; Brouwer et al. 2003; Reneman et al. 2004; Soer et al. 2006; van Ittersum et al. 2009), are listed in the following paragraphs. Material Handling Lifting Low Objective: capacity of lifting from table to floor. Materials: plastic receptacle (40 × 30 × 26 cm), a wall-mounted system with adjustable shelves and weights of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kg. Procedure: five lifts

from table at 74 cm to floor and vice versa in standing position within 90 s. Four to five weight increments until maximum amount of kg was reached. Overhead Romidepsin concentration Lifting Objective: capacity of overhead lifting task. Materials: plastic receptacle (40 × 30 × 26 cm), a wall-mounted system with adjustable shelves and weights of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kg. Procedure: five lifts from table (74 cm) to crown height and vice versa in standing position within 90 s. Four to five weight increments until maximum amount of kg was reached. Carrying Objective: capacity of two handed carrying. Materials: plastic receptacle (40 × 30 × 26 cm), a wall-mounted system with adjustable shelves and weights of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kg. Procedure: 20 m carrying at waist height with receptacle within 90 s. Four to five weight increments until maximum amount of kg was reached. Postural tolerance Overhead Working Objective:

capacity of postural tolerance of overhead working. Materials: aluminium plate adjustable in height with 20 holes, bolts and nuts and two cuff weights of 1.0 kg Meloxicam each. Procedure: standing with hands at crown height, manipulating nuts and bolts wearing cuff weights around the wrists. The time that position is held was measured (seconds). Coordination and repetitive movements Dynamic Bending Objective: capacity of repetitive bending and reaching. Materials: 20 marbles and 2 bowls with a 14 cm diameter positioned at floor and crown height. Procedure: standing with knees flexed between 0 and 30°, move marbles vertically from floor to crown height as fast as possible. Time needed to remove 20 marbles is scored (seconds). Repetitive Side Reaching Objective: capacity of fast repetitive side movements of the upper extremity.