Effects of job-simulated flexibility and strength-flexibility training protocols on maintenance employees engaged in manual handling operations.
This study examined the effects of four flexibility and strength-flexibility training protocols on the dynamic strength, endurance time, and truncal flexibility of 24 maintenance employees engaged in manual material handling operations. The study was conducted over an 8-week period. Significant improvement in physical capacity was obtained through flexibility training either by a progressive increase in the holding time with fixed exercise repetition or a progressive increase repetition with fixed holding time. The flexibility and strength-flexibility training protocols exhibited similar effects on physical capacity. It was suggested that a follow-up flexibility protocol should be performed on a daily basis in order to maintain the gains obtained in flexibility during the intensive/short training programme.
Guo
L
L
Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Nuclear Engineering, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0116.
Genaidy
A
A
Warm
J
J
Karwowski
W
W
Hidalgo
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation