title: The effect of a resistance-training program on muscle strength, physical workload, muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort: an experiment.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a resistance-training program on muscle strength of the back and neck/shoulder muscles, relative physical workload, muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort during a simulated assembly and lifting task. Twenty-two workers were randomized over an 8-week resistance-training group, and a control group. Isokinetic muscle strength was assessed using the Cybex dynamometer, muscle fatigue was measured using EMG, and perceived discomfort was measured using a 10-point scale. At the follow-up, we found no effect of the resistance-training program on isokinetic muscle strength of the back and shoulder muscles. Furthermore, we did not find any effect on EMG data, nor on musculoskeletal discomfort during the simulated work tasks. However, trained workers performed the lifting tasks for a longer time before reporting considerable discomfort than those in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO - VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Heleen H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hamberg-van Reenen
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Allard J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Beek
authors.forename: Birgitte M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Blatter
authors.forename: Jaap H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Dieën
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis