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A tailored workplace exercise program for women at risk for neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders: a
Chiara Rasotto1, Marco Bergamin, John C Sieverdes
1From the Sport and Exercise Medicine Division (Dr Rasotto, Dr Bergamin, Mr Gobbo, Dr Neunhaeuserer, Dr Zaccaria, and Dr Ermolao), Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy; Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (Dr Sieverdes), College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston; Physical Education School (Dr Alberton), Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; and Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences (Dr Maso), University of Padova, Italy.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate a tailored physical activity protocol performed in a work environment with a group of female workers employed in manual precision tasks to reduce upper limb pain.
Methods:
Sixty female subjects were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The IG was administered of a 6-month, twice-a-week, tailored exercise program, whereas the CG received no intervention.
Results:
The IG showed a reduction on shoulder pain accompanied by increases on the range of motion measures. In addition, reductions in upper limb pain and neck disability were detected with concomitant increases in grip strength.
Conclusions:
This study indicated positive effects of a tailored workplace exercise protocol in female workers exposed to moderate risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, showing clinically meaningful reductions of pain symptoms and disability on upper limb and neck regions.
