Physical exercise at the workplace prevents deterioration of work ability among healthcare workers: cluster randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundImbalance between individual resources and work demands can lead to musculoskeletal disorders and reduced work ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of workplace- versus home-based physical exercise on work ability among healthcare workers.MethodsTwo hundred female healthcare workers (Age: 42.0, BMI: 24.1, work ability index [WAI]: 43.1) from 18 departments at three Danish hospitals participated (Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug 2013—Jan 2014). Participants were randomly allocated at the cluster level to 10 weeks of: 1) workplace physical exercise (WORK) performed during working hours for 5x10 min per week and up to 5 group-based coaching sessions on motivation for regular physical exercise, or 2) home-based physical exercise (HOME) performed during leisure time for 5x10 min per week. Both groups received ergonomic counseling on patient handling and use of lifting aides. The main outcome measure was the change from baseline to 10-week follow-up in WAI.ResultsSignificant group by time interaction was observed for WAI (p < 0.05). WAI at follow-up was 1.1 (0.3 to 1.8) higher in WORK compared with HOME corresponding to a small effect size (Cohens’d = 0.24). Within-group changes indicated that between-group differences were mainly caused by a reduction in WAI in HOME. Of the seven items of WAI, item 2 (work ability in relation to the demands of the job) and item 5 (sickness absence during the past year) were improved in WORK compared with HOME (P < 0.05).ConclusionsPerforming physical exercise together with colleagues at the workplace prevents deterioration of work ability among female healthcare workers.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT01921764. Registered 10 August 2013.

Joint association of multimorbidity and work ability with risk of long-term sickness absence: a prospective cohort study with register follow-up

“…Even though many previous studies have reported no or only minor effects of interventions aiming to improve work ability, several recent studies shows that physical exercise at the workplace have the ability to influence work ability (48,49). For instance, ten weeks of strength training improved work ability in relation to physical and mental demands of the job -ie, the same questions as used in the present study -in both slaughterhouse workers with chronic pain and work disability and in healthcare workers (48,49).…”

“…For instance, ten weeks of strength training improved work ability in relation to physical and mental demands of the job -ie, the same questions as used in the present study -in both slaughterhouse workers with chronic pain and work disability and in healthcare workers (48,49). Future research should investigate the effect of interventions aimed at increasing physical and mental capacity (eg, by physical activity and cognitive training), and reducing the physical and mental demands of the job (eg, by adjusting the work demands to the capacity of the workers), in workers with multiple chronic diseases and poor work ability.…”

Efecto de un programa de pausa activa más folletos informativos en la disminución de molestias musculoesqueléticas en trabajadores administrativos

“…El desarrollo del estudio tuvo una duración de diez semanas, tiempo recomendado para garantizar la mayor permanencia de los participantes (24) . Se realizó una medición de la frecuencia e intensidad de las MME, una semana antes y una semana después de la intervención.…”

Exploring Factors that Affect the Well-Being of Healthcare Workers

“…Social aspects also represent a solution to the main causes of employee malaise: Several authors have underlined the importance of creating work environments that encourage employees to openly express their emotions to colleagues and managers and of offering training sessions on emotionally demanding work to make employees and managers more conscious about managing emotions (Coates & Howe, 2015); again, Jakobsen et al (2015) found that social relationships and psychological well-being benefit from organized physical exercises at the workplace, since such exercises represent a social experience shared by employees. A positive work environment can help to improve outcomes by creating a positive perception of how processes are made, reducing work stress, and encouraging innovations as a response to environmental and organizational change (De Simone, 2014b).…”

“…Sleep disorders comprise the factor that is specifically highlighted with respect to healthcare workers (Poissonnet & Véron, 2000;Rose & Glass, 2009), especially considering the effects of night shift-work and difficult work schedules. Some authors underlined the role of leisure activities and other off-job experiences in buffering the negative effects of the reported factors (Tuisku et al, 2016), since an improved general quality of life may positively affect employee well-being (Preposi Cruz, 2016 d 'Ettorre & Greco, 2016;Einarsen & Matthiesen, 1998;Estrynbehar et al, 1990;Galletta et al, 2016;Jakobsen et al, 2015;Markwell & Wainer, 2009;McVicar, 2003;Niedl, 1996;Nixon et al, 2015;Park et al, 2004;Salmond & Ropis, 2005;Sun et al, 2016;Suresh et al, 2013;A. Yildirim & D. Yildirim, 2007) highlighted the relevance of mobbing, conflicts, lack of rewards and recognition by superiors, work demands, work duration, difficulty in balancing work and family commitments, and work context factors.…”