Workplace Exercise for Control of Occupational Neck/Shoulder Disorders a Review of Prospective Studies

Abstract

A review was conducted of prospective studies (1997–2014) examining the efficacy of exercise as a workplace intervention to control neck/shoulder pain, symptoms, and disability. The review identified 38 relevant studies – 20 were classified with positive effects, 13 with null effects, and 5 as inconclusive. Of the positive studies, 12 were consistent with Level I evidence, 3 with Level II evidence, and 5 with Level IV evidence. Specific resistance training (SRT) exercise appeared to be associated with more positive studies (eight Level I studies) than other exercise modalities such as general resistance training, general physical exercise, stretching, and movement awareness exercises. Studies of longer trial duration tended toward more null findings and lower program compliance. Evidence for a primary preventive effect of workplace exercise is minimal. The findings of this review suggest that workplace exercise can be effective as tertiary prevention and therapeutic relief of neck/shoulder symptoms, at least over the shorter term.

Strength Training for Women as a Vehicle for Health Promotion at Work

“…Both the positive effects on musculoskeletal pain and the effects on body composition and wellbeing could represent unspecific reactions to regular exercise. Such effects have been reported in a number of review articles (36)(37)(38)(39).…”

Resistance training program for fatigue management in the workplace: exercise protocol in a cluster randomized controlled trial

“…There is strong evidence of the effectiveness of strength training at the workplace for reducing musculoskeletal complaints in specific regions of the body [20–24]. A variety of strength training protocols are described in the literature, including protocols to decrease pain in the cervical, lumbar, and shoulder areas; low-intensity training; high-intensity training with concentric contractions; high-intensity training with isometric contractions; and highly intensive training (HIT) [20–22, 25]. However, there is consensus that resistance exercises are more effective [20, 25], and 20-min training sessions [20–25] 3 times a week for periods of 10 weeks or more [20, 23] reduce musculoskeletal complaints in the workplace.…”

“…A variety of strength training protocols are described in the literature, including protocols to decrease pain in the cervical, lumbar, and shoulder areas; low-intensity training; high-intensity training with concentric contractions; high-intensity training with isometric contractions; and highly intensive training (HIT) [20–22, 25]. However, there is consensus that resistance exercises are more effective [20, 25], and 20-min training sessions [20–25] 3 times a week for periods of 10 weeks or more [20, 23] reduce musculoskeletal complaints in the workplace. The protocol of heavy resistance exercise at the workplace includes exercise with higher intensity in eccentric and concentric contractions, using dumbbells, elastic bands, and exercises against gravity [20].…”

Stretch breaks in the work setting improve flexibility and grip strength and reduce musculoskeletal complaints

“…The SBP was focused on the neck, shoulders, back, and upper extremities (hands and wrist) and not specifically on the hamstring muscles, hips or lumbosacral regions; this design may explain why the program had no effect on the flexibility of these regions. Lowe and Dick (2015) suggested that the effect of workplace exercise is minimal and effective as tertiary prevention and therapeutic relief of neck/shoulder symptoms. Moreover, previous studies have demonstrated that specific exercise programs improves strength and resistance levels of the trunk and lumbar extensors (Andersen et al, 2012;Carvalho Mesquita, Ribeiro, & Moreira, 2012;Koumantakis, Watson, & Oldham, 2005), and these improvements appear after 6 to 8 months (Cohen, Goel, Frank, & Gibson, 1994).…”

“…Stretch breaks in the work setting improve flexibility and grip strength and reduce musculoskeletal complaints and these motions can cause cumulative trauma disorder (Dick, Graveling, Munro, & Walker-Bone, 2011, Lowe & Dick, 2015. These activities lead to muscle imbalance, which results in a mechanical disadvantage and weakness.…”