Effect of Brief Daily Resistance Training on Occupational Neck/Shoulder Muscle Activity in Office Workers with Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose. This study investigates the acute and longitudinal effects of resistance training on occupational muscle activity in office workers with chronic pain. Methods. 30 female office workers with chronic neck and shoulder pain participated for 10 weeks in high-intensity elastic resistance training for 2 minutes per day (n = 15) or in control receiving weekly email-based information on general health (n = 15). Electromyography (EMG) from the splenius and upper trapezius was recorded during a normal workday. Results. Adherence to training and control interventions were 86% and 89%, respectively. Compared with control, training increased isometric muscle strength 6% (P < 0.05) and decreased neck/shoulder pain intensity by 40% (P < 0.01). The frequency of periods with complete motor unit relaxation (EMG gaps) decreased acutely in the hours after training. By contrast, at 10-week follow-up, training increased average duration of EMG gaps by 71%, EMG gap frequency by 296% and percentage time below 0.5%, and 1.0% EMGmax by 578% and 242%, respectively, during the workday in m. splenius. Conclusion. While resistance training acutely generates a more tense muscle activity pattern, the longitudinal changes are beneficial in terms of longer and more frequent periods of complete muscular relaxation and reduced pain.

Workplace strength training prevents deterioration of work ability among workers with chronic pain and work disability: a randomized controlled trial

“…To identify workers and work units at high risk of physical impairments, we classified the WAI score according to extant conventions into "poor" (7-27), "moderate" (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), "good (37-43) and "excellent" (44-49) work ability (29). The fact that the baseline average WAI score for our participants was categorized as "good", might at a first glance seem as a paradox since the inclusion criteria included both chronic pain and work disability.…”

“…Consequently, the imbalance between individual physical capacity and physical work demands potentially would be reduced, possibly explaining the observed difference in demands of the job (item 2) between the two groups. Although we did not measure relative exposure during work, a recent study using electromyography has shown lower relative exposure of the neck muscles among office workers during the working day following 10 weeks of strength training (35).…”

Use of Dr. Tan's Chinese Balance Acupuncture for Treatment of Chronic Neck–Shoulder Pain

“…14 Lidegaard et al investigated the acute and longitudinal effects of resistance training on occupational muscle activity in office workers with chronic neck-shoulder pain. 15 Acute response to a single session of resistance training appeared to generate an unfavorable muscle activity pattern. 15 Only the changes following 10 weeks of resistance training were beneficial in terms of longer and more frequent periods of complete muscular relaxation and reduced pain.…”

“…15 Acute response to a single session of resistance training appeared to generate an unfavorable muscle activity pattern. 15 Only the changes following 10 weeks of resistance training were beneficial in terms of longer and more frequent periods of complete muscular relaxation and reduced pain. 15 …”

“…15 Only the changes following 10 weeks of resistance training were beneficial in terms of longer and more frequent periods of complete muscular relaxation and reduced pain. 15 …”