Musculoskeletal fitness and body composition of Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas workers

Abstract

Musculoskeletal fitness and body composition has been well studied as it relates to an individual’s overall health in relation to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes (World Health Organization, 2015). The objectives of this research were to investigate the current musculoskeletal fitness and body composition of the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Offshore Workforce and to determine how this population compares to the Canadian population. Eighty-nine men from the NL offshore workforce (mean ± standard deviation; height: 177.13 ± 6.77 cm, mass: 92.02 ± 16.07 kg, age: 42 ± 9.76 years) were included for analysis in this study. Data was collected offshore by a Definitions® wellness representative from five offshore industry companies. All measures were collected in accordance with the Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness & Lifestyle Approach Manual (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2004), the Physical Activity Training for Health manual (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2013) or Advanced Fitness Assessment And Exercise Prescription (Heyward & Gibson, 2010). Body composition measures included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and skin-folds. Musculoskeletal measures included push-ups, partial curl-ups, back extension, sit-and-reach, and grip strength. Participants were divided into two age groups: 20 – 39 and 40 – 59. Results from both groups showed that offshore workers have poor body composition, but have generally good musculoskeletal fitness compared to Canadian norms. However, both groups performed similarly on the musculoskeletal fitness tests. This means that a younger population has the physical strength and endurance of a population that is on average 14 years older. Overall, the results indicated the need to improve the overall body composition of the offshore workforce with ongoing development to maintain, or improve in some instances, musculoskeletal health. These results are an important starting point, whereby the Canadian Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board can investigate the feasibility of offshore specific health and wellness programming that aims to improve the physical fitness of all offshore workers.