This article reviews the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) interventions at the workplace to reduce musculoskeletal pain among employees and assesses the effect size of these programs using meta-analysis. Four databases (i.e., PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched for research trials, which included comparison groups of employees that assessed PA programs, musculoskeletal pain, and health-related behaviors, published between January 1990 and March 2013. The meta-analysis estimates of standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g) present significant evidence of less general pain (g = −.40 with a 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.78, −0.02]) and neck and shoulder pain (g = −.37 with a 95% CI = [−0.63, −0.12]) in intervention groups. The few studies of low back pain and arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger pain did not present sufficient statistically significant evidence. Consistent evidence demonstrates that workplace PA interventions significantly reduce general musculoskeletal pain and neck and shoulder pain. More studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of work-related PA interventions for arm, elbow, wrist, hand or finger, and low back pain.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a physical activity (PA) program on musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms in different body regions among workers. Methods. The intervention study lasted 6 months. The training sessions were given during work time. The intervention group (TOI) (n = 39) participated in 10–15 min of physical exercise training 3 times a week and focused on stretching exercises and general strength. The reference group (TOR) (n = 31) were asked to continue their daily activities. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed with the standardized Nordic questionnaires for analyzing musculoskeletal symptoms. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results. After the intervention, the TOI obtained some significant results regarding a decrease in the intensity of pain in some of the body regions evaluated, such as elbow (p = .03) and dorsal region (p = .015). In comparing the TOR and TOI after the 6 months of the PA program, we can verify that in the elbow and in the thigh/hip regions, the pain intensity decreased significantly; additionally, there is some evidence to suggest statistically significant results in the neck region (p = .063). Conclusion. Our intervention seems to have reduced musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms in factory workers.

Obesity rates are high among employed adults and have shown a consistent increase over the past few decades. Musculoskeletal disorders related to work are a major cause of disability in working individuals. The objective of this study was to verify the associations between weight status and musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms in different body regions among workers. The sample comprised 203 factory workers. Anthropometric measures were assessed with standardized protocols and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Participants were classified as nonoverweight (BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m²) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms was assessed with the Nordic Questionnaire of Osteoarticular Symptoms. The association of BMI and musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms was analyzed with logistic regression. Overweight/obese participants were more likely to have musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms in the shoulders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.129, p = .023). Our results emphasize the need of worksite interventions to promote healthy weight as a way to prevent musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal symptoms are the leading factor responsible for sickness absence. Factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal symptoms must be identified and addressed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by body regions, and to assess the contribution of individual, lifestyle and occupational risk factors on the development of musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: The sample comprised 202 white- and blue-collar workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed with the Nordic Questionnaire. Physical activity level and sitting time were assessed with IPAQ. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the associations between individual, lifestyle and occupational category factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: The 7-day prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was 41.6% (n = 84). The highest prevalence of symptoms was reported in the lower back region (18.8%), followed by the wrist/hand (17.3%), the neck (15.8%), shoulder (15.3%) and ankle/feet (11.4%) regions. A significant association was found between reporting musculoskeletal symptoms and work category. In addition, musculoskeletal symptoms were reported more often by the older workers. Work category was a significant predictor of pain in the lower back and shoulder regions, and gender was a significant predictor for neck pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the need of worksite interventions to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms in this population.

This study aimed to systematically review and summarise the evidence about the effect of muscle fatigue on the knee proprioception of trained and non-trained individuals. A search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO databases and Google Scholar was conducted using the expression: "fatigue" AND ("proprioception" OR "position sense" OR "repositioning" OR "kinesthesia" OR "detection of passive motion" OR "force sense" OR "sense of resistance") AND "knee". Forty-two studies were included. Regarding joint-position sense, higher repositioning errors were reported after local and general protocols. Kinesthesia seems to be more affected when fatigue is induced locally, and force sense when assessed at higher target forces and after eccentric protocols. Muscle fatigue, both induced locally or generally, has a negative impact on the knee proprioception.