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Ergonomics and Exercise Training as a Basic Intervention for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction
Ömer Şevgin1, Betül Berat Yıldız1, Ertuğrul Safran2
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, İstanbul 34768, Türkiye.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Adding exercise to ergonomics training did not significantly improve pain or other outcomes for construction workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). Ergonomics training alone showed comparable benefits over 12 weeks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Ergonomics
Background:
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are common in construction.
- Ergonomics training and exercise are used for WRMSD management.
- The added benefit of exercise to ergonomics training for construction workers is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if supervised exercise plus ergonomics training offers greater benefits than ergonomics training alone for construction workers with WRMSDs.
- To evaluate the incremental effect of exercise on pain, fatigue, sleep, and burnout.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 52 male construction workers with musculoskeletal complaints.
- Two groups: ergonomics training plus exercise vs. ergonomics training alone.
- Primary outcome: pain intensity (VAS); secondary outcomes: symptom burden (NMQ-E), fatigue (FSS), sleep quality (PSQI), burnout (MBI).
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, fatigue, sleep, and symptom burden.
- No statistically significant incremental benefit of adding exercise was found for any outcome.
- The exercise group had numerically greater improvements and a higher pain relief proportion, but not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Ergonomics training, with or without added exercise, significantly improved musculoskeletal outcomes over 12 weeks.
- Adding supervised exercise to ergonomics training did not provide statistically significant incremental benefits for construction workers with WRMSDs.
- Larger, longer trials are needed to confirm potential trends for added exercise benefits.
