title: The effect of a physical activity program on decreasing physical disability indicated by musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms among workers: a pilot study.
abstract: 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our intervention seems to have reduced musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms in factory workers.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Isabel.moreira.silva@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreira-Silva
authors.forename: Rute
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration*