Objetivo The research, which will be carried out on a group of steelworkers who are less than 35 years old and who have no previous history of low back pain, is designed to : - examine to what extend the first onset of low back pain is preceded by a deterioration in the individual's state of health, and in particular by a worsening of a certain of his functional capacities - assess the usefulness of standardized tests for measuring lumbar mobility and muscular capacity, in the context of the medical surveillance of these workers.The research will comprise two successive phases : - the definition of the population to be studied and the functional reference tests during the first year, - the follow-up proper over the next two years. The first phase will consist of a retrospective medical investigation, which will be supplemented by a questionnaire and functional examination of the spinal columns of workers who meet the pre-determined criteria. The prospective study will look at workers who are less than 35 years old, who are subject to periodic medical surveillance, and who do not have a previous history of serious low back pain. METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVEDThe questionnaire will be designed to provide the following information on each worker : . previous history of low back disorders; . any other health problems; . aspects of the worker's social life which may constitute a stress factor, . the nature of the work carried out and the strains involved. The functional examination of the spinal column will include measurements of the following : . lumbar mobility during sagittal and lateral flexion, and during extension, . a modified lassègue manoeuvre designed to reveal any contracture of the ischiofemoral muscles, and to assess the degrees of voluntary effort on the part of the subject when . lumbar mobility during flexion and extension is being measured; . muscular endurance of the trunk extensor muscles; . two psychophysical tests of load handling capacity : - the load considered acceptable for a dynamic lift - the lifting force considered acceptable during isometric exertion. The follow-up will record all changes in the state of health and/or of the work station or type of work, and also, of course, include a further specific medical examination accompanied by the series of functional tests. Programa(s) ECSC-MEDRES 5C - Fifth medical research programme (ECSC) "Protection of workers against risks arising from work in the coal and steel industries", 1988-1992 Tema(s) Data not available Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinador Université Catholique de Louvain Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Clos Chapelle aux Champs, 30-38 1200 BRUXELLES Bélgica Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos