Effects of physical exercise on musculoskeletal disorders, stress and quality of life in workers.
BACKGROUND
The effect of physical exercise in the workplace (PEW) on health promotion of workers is contradictory.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of the PEW in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), perception of stress and quality of life in workers.


METHODS
The participants were divided into two groups: control group (n = 46) including non-participant workers of the PEW program, and PEW group (n = 50) including workers who regularly participate in the exercise program. All workers answered the Nordic general questionnaire, the perceived stress scale and the quality-of-life questionnaire.


RESULTS
The PEW group reported a lower prevalence of MSDs for the trunk in the last 7 days and 12 months (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001, respectively), and for the upper limbs in the last 12 months (p = 0.001) compared with the control group . The results for the perception of stress and quality of life showed no significant differences between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
PEW is a potential method to reduce MSDs in workers, but it was not efficient in reducing stress levels or improving the quality of life of the workers.
a University of Franca , Brazil.
Maysa Venturoso Gongora Buckeridge
MVGB
Serra
b Federal University of São Carlos , Brazil.
Paula Rezende
PR
Camargo
c Minas Gerais State University (UEMG) , Brazil.
José Eduardo
JE
Zaia
a University of Franca , Brazil.
Maria Georgina Marques
MGM
Tonello
d State University of Londrina , Brazil.
Paulo Roberto Veiga
PRV
Quemelo
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace
cumulative trauma disorders; exercise; psychological stress; quality of life; workplace