Ergonomic risk and musculoskeletal symptoms in administrative workers of the CACPECO Cooperative, Latacunga, Ecuador

  • Bolívar Fernando Guala-Taipe Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.
  • Manuel Ricardo Velázquez Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.
  • Becker Santiago Neto-Mullo Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.
Keywords: Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational risk, working conditions, administrative staff, (UNESCO Thesaurus).

Abstract

Currently, musculoskeletal disorders represent an occupational health problem that causes harm to the physical and emotional health of workers. The main risk factors are related to working conditions, such as repetitive movements, manual handling of loads, application of force, and awkward or forced postures. Therefore, this research aims to associate ergonomic risk with musculoskeletal symptoms in administrative workers at the "CACPECO" Cooperative in Latacunga. The methodology used was observational, with a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) and analytical-synthetic and inductive-deductive methods. The results show that most workers present a normal or mild level of discomfort, with the back, neck, and wrists being the most affected. The level of risk was considered improvable, meaning that changes in workstations are necessary, as it is mainly related to a lack of appropriate conditions. Upon validating the hypothesis, it was determined that there is no relationship between the study variables.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Bolívar Fernando Guala-Taipe, Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.
Manuel Ricardo Velázquez, Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.
Becker Santiago Neto-Mullo, Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador.

References

Agar, A., Yeginoglu, G., & Kızıltan, B. (2025). The effect of ergonomics training given to office workers on musculoskeletal disorders and working postures. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 31(2), 460-467. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2025.2457186

Alencar, B. D., da Silva, N. R., & Serranheira, F. (2025). Musculoskeletal pain and risk factors in office workers versus teleworkers: A systematic review. Work, 80(3), 974-997. https://doi.org/10.1177/10519815241289675

Argus, M., & Paasuke, M. (2022). Musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among office workers in an activity-based work environment. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 28(4), 2419-2425. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1999616

Argus, M., & Pääsuke, M. (2023). Musculoskeletal disorders and functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder: Comparison between office workers using a laptop or desktop computer. Work, 75(4), 1289-1299. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-220080

Barragán-Aldaz, K. B., Molina-Delgado, J. R., Comas-Rodríguez, R., y Navarrete-Arboleda, E. D. (2023). Prevalencia de trastornos musculoesqueléticos en el personal de salud operativo. Revista Arbitrada Interdisciplinaria De Ciencias De La Salud. Salud Y Vida, 7(2), 598-605. https://doi.org/10.35381/s.v.v7i2.3376

Cárdenas, A. C., Vásquez, D. G., y Duarte, W. H. (2021). Análisis de la relación entre factores laborales y extralaborales con sintomatología osteomuscular en miembros superiores de trabajadores administrativos. Fisioterapia, 43(4), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ft.2020.11.003

Demissie, B., Bayih, E. T., & Demmelash, A. A. (2024). A systematic review of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among computer users. Heliyon, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25075

Demissie, B., Mekuriaw, B. Y., Asmare, T. B., Gobezie, N. Z., Wubet, H. B., Diress, G. M., ... & Abuhay, A. G. (2025). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among computer user office workers in Sub Sharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Discover Social Science and Health, 5(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00312-3

Gurses, Ö. A., & Başkurt, F. (2025). The effect of musculoskeletal system disorders in female office workers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 31(2), 431-437. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2024.2446107

Ikiz, H., & Ergin, E. (2023). Musculoskeletal system problems in office workers: relationship of physical activity levels and quality of life. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 29(1), 321-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2022.2043625

Makki, F., Hasheminejad, N., Tahernejad, S., & Mirzaee, M. (2024). Evaluation of the effect of corrective exercise intervention on musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue and working memory of office workers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 30(2), 532-542. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2024.2323332

Martínez, S. C., Peralta, Á. R., Comas, R., & Navarrete, E. D. (2023). Factores de riesgo psicosociales y estrés laboral en trabajadores de salud. Revista Arbitrada Interdisciplinaria de Ciencias de la Salud. Salud y Vida, 7(2), 812-818. https://doi.org/10.35381/s.v.v7i2.3462

Matute-Herrera, A. M., Molina-Delgado, J. R., Comas-Rodríguez, R., y Matheu-González, C. (2023). Prevalencia de trastornos musculo esqueléticos en personal administrativo de un hospital. Revista Arbitrada Interdisciplinaria De Ciencias De La Salud. Salud Y Vida, 7(2), 835-842. https://doi.org/10.35381/s.v.v7i2.3472

Parra, A. (2020). Factores de riesgo ergonómico en personal administrativo, un problema de salud ocupacional. Revista Científica Sinapsis, 2(1), 48-60. https://doi.org/10.37117/s.v2i15.212

Rawdeng, S., Sihawong, R., & Janwantanakul, P. (2022). Work ability in aging office workers with musculoskeletal disorders and non-communicable diseases and its associated factors: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 28(4), 2582-2587. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.2010405

Raza, M., Bhushan, R. K., Khan, A. A., Ali, A. M., Khamaj, A., & Alam, M. M. (2024, December). Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in heavy vehicle drivers and office workers: a comparative analysis using a machine learning approach. In Healthcare 12(24), 2560. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12242560

Sohrabi, M. S., & Babamiri, M. (2022). Effectiveness of an ergonomics training program on musculoskeletal disorders, job stress, quality of work-life and productivity in office workers: a quasi-randomized control trial study. International Journal of Occupational safety and ergonomics, 28(3), 1664-1671. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.191893

Tersa, C., Bravo, C., Bellon, F., Pastells, R., Arnaldo, E. R., y Rubi, F. (2022). Effectiveness of workplace exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers: a systematic review. BMJ open, 12(1), e054288. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054288
Published
2026-03-01
How to Cite
Guala-Taipe, B. F., Velázquez, M. R., & Neto-Mullo, B. S. (2026). Ergonomic risk and musculoskeletal symptoms in administrative workers of the CACPECO Cooperative, Latacunga, Ecuador. Gestio Et Productio. Revista Electrónica De Ciencias Gerenciales , 8(1), 296-312. https://doi.org/10.35381/gep.v8i1.746
Section
De Investigación

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>