Implementation of Physical Exercise at the Workplace (IRMA08) - Healthcare Workers (IRMA)

The prevalence and consequences of musculoskeletal pain is considerable among healthcare workers, allegedly due to high physical work demands of healthcare work. Previous studies have shown promising results of physical exercise for relieving pain among different occupational groups, but the question remains whether such physical exercise should be performed at the workplace or in the private sphere at home. Performing physical exercise at the workplace together with colleagues may be more motivating for some employees and thus increase compliance. On the other hand, physical exercise at the workplace may be costly for the employers in terms of time spend. Thus, relevant ground exists to compare the efficacy of workplace- versus home-based training on musculoskeletal pain. This study investigates the effect of workplace-based versus home-based physical exercise on musculoskeletal pain among healthcare workers. The main hypothesis is that physical exercise at the workplace for 10 weeks compared with physical exercise at home results in reduced musculoskeletal pain among healthcare workers.

Physical exercise (kettlebells, elastic bands, exercise balls) performed at the workplace with coaching

Physical exercise performed at home with elastic bands and bodyweight exercises with instruction to follow the exercises at http://www.jobogkrop.dk/Oevelser-til-nakke-og-ryg/Oevelser

The change in "pain intensity during the last week" from baseline to 10 week follow-up between the workplace- and home-training group. The home-training group will be considered the reference group. 2-way analysis of variance (Proc Mixed of SAS) with repeated measures will be used, with time and group as fixed factors and subject as random factor. Department will be added as a cluster effect.

Inclusion Criteria: healthcare worker female age 18-67 Exclusion Criteria: life threatening disease pregnancy

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