Erasmus plus - Stretching and Strengthening at Work interact

Stretching and Strengthening at Work

Low-back pain

Muscular stiffness

Poor posture

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Tension neck syndrome

Figure 6 | Common musculoskeletal problems of workforce Employment pattern, rest break taken, reaching/overstretching, repetitive movements, job satisfaction, maintained positions, training related to health and safety and numbers of specific jobs undertaken were among the factors associated with low back pain (Wami and co-workers , 2019). While many treatment opportunities are available for an appropriate management of sedentary-driven musculoskeletal problems at work, primary efforts in the workplace should be addressed at removing or reducing possible causes of low back pain (Graveling , 2020), including poor back flexibility and core stability, or low level of muscular strength. Neuromuscular exercise at workplace appeared to effectively reduce low back pain and improve physical conditioning compared to non-exercising ( Taulaniemi and co-workers , 2019). For example, a general exercise program that combines muscular strength and flexibility (also aerobic exercise) is beneficial for tackling non-specific chronic low back pain (Gordon and Bloxham, 2016). Specifically, increasing core muscular strength can assist in supporting the lumbar spine while improving the flexibility of the muscle-tendons and ligaments in the back increases the range of motion and assists with the person’s functional movement. Even the brief programs could help in reducing low back pain symptoms in office workers, with the beneficial effects generated with small duration sessions during the working day, with only 10–15 min of adapted exercise to be performed 3–5 days per week (Gobbo and co-workers , 2019).

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