The effects of work strategy and a rest condition on the physiological changes of the erector spinae muscle were studied. Eleven volunteers repeated fatiguing static contractions of holding an industrial box in 30° trunk flexion for a repetition of 12 times interrupted by rests for which the duration was equal to the duration of each preceding contraction. Each contraction was stopped at two fatigue sensation levels; moderate or strong, which corresponded to Borg's CR-10 3 and 5, as the work strategy conditions. The repeated contractions were performed for a total of eight conditions combined with the two rest conditions, with and without stretch exercise, and two contraction levels of 10 and 40% maximum pulling force in flexed posture (MVC) on separate days. Near-infrared spectroscopy and surface electromyography (EMG) were recorded. Amplitude and median frequency (MF) of EMG, oxy-hemoglobin, and deoxy-hemoglobin were calculated. MF related to fatigue sensation most closely. Oxy-hemoglobin decreased during each contraction. It, however, increased with repetition especially at 10% MVC and the increase was interpreted as adaptation to the work. The effect of the work strategy and the rest conditions was weak. MF decreased more in a strong work strategy condition than in a moderate one.

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The present study was based on a participatory action research (PAR) design with the objectives of developing a participatory health care model for farmers and stakeholders involved in snakeskin gourami fish farming in Bang Bo District. The study was conducted from May 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018. The sample was composed of 85 people who were fish farmers, fish pond owners, and fish farming laborers involved in the processing and distribution of snakeskin gourami, 35 VHVs (village health volunteers), 1 registered nurse, and 1 administrator of a Tambon Health Promoting Hospital (THPH) for a total of 122 subjects.  The PAR process involved 3 stages: Stage 1- Situation Analysis, Stage 2 - Participatory Action Research Process, and Stage 3 - Outcome Evaluation. The findings revealed 2 types of health problems: 1) work-related problems: incorrect work behaviors such as lifting heavy objects 1 - 5 times per day, repetitive work postures/positions causing aching bones and muscles and working fast to obtain large amounts and finish in time until work-related accidents occur such as knife cuts, pricked fingers from fish fins and slips/fallsand 2) Risks and illnesses caused by chronic disease. The synthesis of the participatory health care model disclosed that the health care activities covered 4 dimensions, encompassing health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and recovery. The sample had a high level of satisfaction in the organization of the project at a mean of 4.40 of 5 points.