INAUGURAL LECTURE

Tiltrædelsesforelæsning

By Lars Louis Andersen

Friday 13 November 2015 at 13.00

PROGRAMME

13.00 Welcome Professor Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Lecture Adjunct Professor Lars Louis Andersen

14.00 The department hosts a reception in the aula

PLACE

Auditorium B3-104

Aalborg University Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 9220 Aalborg East

INAUGURAL LECTURE Tiltrædelsesforelæsning

Friday 13 November 2015 at 13.00

Adjunct Professor Lars Louis Andersen

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders – risk factors, consequences and solutions

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders - risk factors, consequences and solutions

Pain in the back, neck, shoulder, or arm bothers more than a third of working-age adults. During recent years we have performed at number of epidemiological studies to assess risk factor for and consequences of such pains. We have also performed randomized controlled trials at workplace studies to assess different strategies to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal pain among computer workers, lab technicians, slaughterhouse workers and healthcare workers. One common finding from these studies is that high-intensity strength training of the painful muscles help relieve the pain. Most studies have used 3 by 20 minutes per week training protocols, but one of the studies showed that as little as 2 minutes of daily strength training with elastic bands can also be beneficial. The results of these studies will be presented along with physiological mechanisms of adaptation.

Lars Louis Andersen received his PhD degree from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, in 2008. He is currently employed as Professor at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment. His current research on work environment covers 1) epidemiological studies to investigate risk factors for sickness absence and disability pension 2) randomized controlled trials with physical exercise programs and participatory ergonomics to prevent and reduce back or neck pain and to improve work ability and wellbeing, 3) laboratory studies, combining several physiological measurement (EMG, EEG, pressure pain threshold, strength measurements, force plate measurements, 3D video analysis) to study responses to office work as well as heavy and fatiguing work.

Lars Louis Andersen Adjunct Professor

Department of Health Science and Technology Aalborg University