BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common health problem in office workers. In Germany, MSD (mainly back pain related) are the main cause of workdays lost to incapacity. This is not only bothersome for the employees, but also causes higher costs for the health system and employers. Workplace health promotion programmes (WHPP) can help to reduce this as they reach large target groups and are easily accessible. In this context, stretch training exercises have already proven to be effective. In the present study, a new approach focusing on trunk extension is to be investigated.MethodsTo evaluate the training device “five-Business”, 250 office workers will train two times a week for 3 months. The control group will consist of 100 office employees. The device “five-Business” enables five different full body exercises. The intervention will be evaluated before week one and after week twelve via three assessments: a) the Short Form-36 (SF-36) to record the general health status and health-related quality of life, taking into account physical, psychological and social factors, b) the Nordic Questionnaire to evaluate complaints of the musculoskeletal system, c) Range of Motion (ROM) measurements using a digital inclinometer and a measuring tape respectively.ConclusionThe “five-Business” combines elements of yoga and the McKenzie fundamentals, taking into account the Myers myofascial pathways in a highly torso-oriented, standardized stretching program. Due to the given exercise execution on the device and the individual adjustment possibilities of the stretching position (body size and range of motion) by the abutment, all exercises are individualized and standardized at the same time. In comparison to existing stretching interventions, this is a new approach in the framework of reducing musculoskeletal disorders and improving the quality of life in workplace health promotion.

Background Pain experiences are almost unavoidable in dance and involve a health hazard potential. In dance, certain self‐endangering attitudes and behavior patterns toward pain are emerging. Especially for female dancers (Ds) and dance teachers (DTs) of the non‐professional levels, pain is still insufficiently recorded. The aim of this study was to compare the subjective perception of pain, its assessment, and the pain behavior of female dancers and dance teachers of the non‐professional dance level. Methods The data were collected by a quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional study using an online questionnaire in n = 205 Ds and n = 151 DTs. The dance‐associated pain characteristics were analyzed in n = 171 Ds (83.4%) and n = 130 DTs (86.1%). Results The sensory and affective perception of pain was more pronounced in DTs than in Ds. Unlike Ds, DTs rather evaluated pain as signal of a (potential) injury. The majority of the subjects continued their dancing activity to its full extent or under a gentle change of behavior patterns. As to pain treatment, preference was given to self‐ or medical and therapeutic treatment. Strategies of physical tension regulation were often used in pain management. Conclusions Even in pain, the majority of female dancers and dance teachers of the non‐professional level continued their dancing activity. However, there seemed to be a health‐conscious coping with pain, especially in the DTs. Medical and therapeutic treatment was frequently used.

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Abstract Background and aims Pain is a highly complex bio-psychosocial phenomenon that may present a (potential) health risk and either occurs as a warning sign or a symptom of injury. It cannot be ruled out that these rising or changing requirements in dance of all styles, are reflected in health-related outcomes such as pain. The aim of this narrative review article is to outline an overview of prevalence and localization, concepts of performance pain and injury pain, pain perception and pain management in dance. At that consequences of pain and influencing factors focusing on different dance styles or forms of professionalism are discussed. Methods The databases CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Medline, MeSH and Web of Science were screened for relevant articles. Results Pain prevalence in dance is very high. Pain localizations can be related to high dance-specific mechanical stress on the musculoskeletal system. Depending on the pain characteristics, dancers perceive pain as “positive” (performance pain) or “negative” (injury pain). Concerning pain attitudes and management, dancers show an increasing pain tolerance. Pain seems to be accepted as a necessity, often ignored and dancing is continued despite pain. Conclusions The findings of this article suggest that occurrence of pain, pain perception, coping with pain and pain history appear to be connected to dance-specific mechanical stress as well as to socialization in dance culture. In dance, effects of pain on health seem to be associated with characteristics of pain and pain behavior. Implications The results highlight the high relevance of pain in dance and the need to take into account preventive as well as rehabilitative measures.