Effectiveness of Workplace-Based Muscle Resistance Training Exercise Program in Preventing Musculoskeletal Dysfunction of the Upper Limbs in Manufacturing Workers

• Published in: Journal of occupational rehabilitation Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 810 - 821
• Main Authors: Muñoz-Poblete, C., Bascour-Sandoval, C., Inostroza-Quiroz, J., Solano-López, R., Soto-Rodríguez, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-12-2019; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Clinical Psychology; Environmental Health; Exercise; Exposure; Extremities; Group dynamics; Health Psychology; Limbs; Manufacturing; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Movement disorders; Muscles; Musculoskeletal diseases; Occupational exposure; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Orthopedics; Pain; Physical training; Rehabilitation; Resistance training; Risk levels; Strength training; Stretching; Training; Weight training; Worker absenteeism; Workers; Prevention; Work; Muscle exercise; Musculoskeletal disorder
• ISSN: 1053-0487; 1573-3688
• DOI: 10.1007/s10926-019-09840-7

Aims
Given the high levels of absenteeism due to musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, there is a need for preventive strategies to protect workers exposed to high risk levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a workplace-based muscle resistance training exercise program in the presence of pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction of the upper extremities in manufacturing workers exposed to repetitive movements and excessive effort in the workplace.
Method
Randomized controlled trial in manufacturing workers. A sample of 120 healthy workers was allocated at random to an experimental group, which received a resistance-based exercise program, and a control group, which performed stretching exercises.
Results
The muscle resistance training exercise had a protective effect on the intensity of pain perceived by workers in their upper limbs (RR: 0.62 95% CI 0.44–0.87) compared with the group of workers who performed stretching exercises.
Conclusion
A workplace-based muscle resistance training exercise program is an effective preventive strategy in factory workers exposed to risk; however, it is necessary for companies initially to adopt mechanisms to minimize exposure as a prevention strategy.