Blood flow changes at the wrist in manual workers after preventive interventions

Radial and ulnar artery circulatory changes at the wrist were studied at the work site in manual workers performing repetitive tasks to compare the effects of two preventive interventions, exercise and rest. The Doppler method was used for assessment of blood flow velocity, and systolic blood pressure measurements were made on 16 right hand-dominant female workers in a suture manufacturing industry. Radial and ulnar blood flow velocity decreased while systolic blood pressure at these arteries remained stable after 1 1/2 hours of manual work. After 5-minute interventions of either exercise or rest, blood flow velocity increased, radial blood pressure remained stable, and ulnar blood pressure decreased. A 5-minute exercise program produced greater increases in radial blood flow velocity than did a 5-minute rest program. Brief exercise programs have been shown to improve circulation at the wrist after circulation was compromised by the performance of manual work. Such programs may offer one practical method of preventing soft tissue injuries related to the sustained compromise of blood flow at the wrist.