Effects of an exercise program on musculoskeletal symptoms and physical capacity among nursing staff

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major health problem, and nursing staff are often seen as a risk group. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a weekly exercise program among nursing staff on musculoskeletal symptoms and to study the relation to changes in physical capacity. A total of 106 nurses and nursing aides from four geriatric wards were invited to participate; 86 accepted. A cross-over design was used. The staff from two wards were assigned to an exercise period and the staff from the other wards to a control period for the first intervention period. After a wash-out period, the intervention changed. For the exercise periods the staff were invited to participate in an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks. In total 50 subjects participated more than 8 times regularly during the exercise periods (participants = > or = 8 times regular participation, nonparticipants = < 8). During the control periods 78 subjects attended without intervention. Assessments were made with a standardized questionnaire for analysis of musculoskeletal and psychosomatic symptoms, testing of muscle strength in m. quadriceps with a Cybex dynamometer, and testing of cardiovascular capacity with a Dynavite computerized exercise bicycle before and after the exercise periods. The muscle strength in m. quadriceps increased more during the exercise periods compared with the control periods, explained primarily by the subgroup of nonregular exercisers and those > or = 40 years of age. The number of musculoskeletal symptoms tended to decrease more in the subgroup of nonregular exercisers (those who exercised less than once a week in their spare time) during the exercise periods compared with the nonregular exercisers during the control periods. Comparisons within groups showed a decrease in the number of musculoskeletal symptoms within the exercise periods, explained primarily by a decrease among the participants rather than among the nonparticipants. The decrease within the participants was explained primarily by the subgroup of nonregular exercisers and those > or = 40 years of age. An increase in cardiovascular capacity and a tendency to increase in muscle strength in m. quadriceps were seen among the participants, explained primarily by the effect in the subgroup of nonregular exercisers. The study suggests that a moderate weekly exercise program, performed in a group, among nursing staff affects physical capacity and the number of musculoskeletal symptoms for subjects who are nonregular exercisers and probably subjects > or = 40 years of age.