In a systematic review done by Sundstrup et al. (2020), they compared 54 studies that investigated different interventions implemented at the workplace of employees with physically demanding work. Interventions were aimed at decreasing muscle/joint pain prevalence amongst employees. They included employees with daily tasks such as pulling, heavy lifting, lots of walking/standing, forceful repetitive tasks etc.

6 different interventions were identified that were implemented at the workplace:

• Physical exercise: Workplace strength training had the highest level of evidence to reduce muscle/joint pain at the workplace, when compared to only stretching/aerobic training.
• Ergonomics: Limited evidence for no benefit to reduce muscle/joint pain
• Participatory ergonomics: Strong evidence that there is no benefit for this strategy
• Stress management: Strong evidence for no benefit
• Multifaceted: Strong evidence for no benefit
• Other interventions: Very limited or insufficient evidence to make conclusions for these interventions

Thus, it can be concluded that implementing strength training at the workplace can reduce the prevalence of muscle/joint pain in employees with physically demanding works.

A physiotherapist can assist you with prescribing work-specific strengthening exercises to assist you in preventing/managing muscle and joint pain due to the high physical demands of your work.

You can access the article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10926-020-09879x?fbclid=IwAR2CH9aLZheT84yKSLGGp5TH670mMEsymlPR6hWZ_ih6GIwHSqs6NhbsPKY

Image: Google images

Posted by: Ilse van Vuuren