Grant: CIHR-IRSST Research Chair in Gender, Work and Health

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent an important economic burden to the Canadian society. After low back pain, neck/shoulder pain affects the largest population of workers. Since more and more workers use computers as their main work accessory, there is no indication that this trend will decrease unless we develop more effective ways to prevent such debilitating injuries. In addition, recent studies show that women are about twice as susceptible from suffering work-related neck-shoulder MSD (n/s MSD). However, sex or gender (s/g) differences may be wrongly attributed without a good understanding of injury mechanisms and how differently they can affect men and women. The recent scientific literature shows that there may indeed be s/g differences not only in body dimensions and hormone levels but also in how men and women use their body and coordinate their movements. These differences may not only help explain s/g differences in the injury process but may also help predict the effectiveness of intervention strategies to prevent the development of such injuries. The focus of this research program is to conduct projects that will lead to a better, s/g-sensitive identification of the mechanisms of n/s MSD that will rely in large part on accurate measurements of neck/shoulder occupational exposures. In addition, s/g differences in mechanisms of known risk factors such as work posture and muscle fatigue will help understand and predict the effectiveness of intervention strategies. In turn, this will lead to the creation of more effective programs to help prevent the development of neck/shoulder injuries in both men and women. This program will be accomplished in interdisciplinary collaboration with world-renown investigators from Canada and European countries, and will include collaborative projects leading to the formation of a new generation of investigators exposed to international training opportunities.