Relationship of task strain and physical strength to end-of-work fatigue among nurses at social welfare facilities.

To study the relationship of task strain and physical fitness to fatigue among nurses employed at social welfare facilities, we investigated the degree of habitual end-of-work fatigue among 99 nurses (ages 20-49 years) in its relationship to both the degree of strain in various tasks and various indices of physical fitness. Results were as follows: (1) Fatigue complaint rates were nearly the same (35-38%) regardless of age. (2) Mean arm power and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were significantly lower in a high degree of fatigue group than a low degree of fatigue group. (3) Four of 21 tasks elicited strain complaint rates greater than 50%: "nursing of seriously ill patients", "nursing of medical device-assisted patients", "bathing care", and "excretory/diaper changing care". (4) Significant positive correlations were noted between the degree of fatigue and the degree of strain complaint with regard to "nursing of medical device-assisted patients", "bathing care", and "excretory/diaper changing care". (5) Strain complaint rates were significantly higher in a low arm power group than a high arm power group with regard to "nursing of seriously ill patients", "nursing of medical device-assisted patients", and "excretory/diaper changing care". (6) Strain complaint rates were significantly higher in a low VO2max group than a high VO2max group with regard to "nursing of medical device-assisted patients", "bathing care", and "excretory/diaper changing care". These results suggest the need for measures to alleviate task strain and to increase arm strength and overall stamina so that nursing work does not result in excessive fatigue.