Effects of Self Stretching on Pain and Musculoskeletal Symptom of Bus Drivers

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculoskeletal symptoms, pain and risk of postures as well as the effects of stretching exercise on the work-related symptoms and pain of bus drivers. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-one drivers were randomly recruited from a bus corporation for this study. Information about pain levels, painful regions, and general characteristics of subjects was obtained using the symptom research form (KOSHA Code H-30-2003). The level of pain was assessed on a scale of numeric rating scale (NRS) which is divided by 10. Ergonomic posture assessment was conducted using the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA). Self-stretching exercise was performed for 4 weeks by the bus drivers who suffered from neck and shoulder pain. [Results] Musculoskeletal symptoms were present in the order of shoulder, neck, lower back and lower extremities. Compared with other jobs, the final score, and the action level of bus drivers were very high, showing 57.6% of action levels 3 and 4. A statistically significant decrease of pain was shown after the self-stretching intervention. There was also a significant decrease of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulders after the self-stretching exercise. [Conclusion] Performing stretching for musculoskeletal symptoms had a positive influence on the symptoms and reduced pain.

Influence of a community‐based stretching intervention on the health outcomes among Korean‐Chinese female migrant workers in South Korea: A randomized prospective trial

“…This study has a strength because the effectiveness of the stretching intervention was examined by the use of objective outcome measures for muscle strength and flexibility, as well as by self-reported WMSD symptoms. As addressed in other studies (Lee & Gak, 2014;Marangoni, 2010), the stretching exercise is less burdensome for workers in terms of time, cost, facilities, and skills, compared to other exercises. Thus, stretching can be suggested as the most feasible exercise tool for migrant female workers, who have less accessibility to worksite health promotion programs, in order to prevent or reduce WMSD symptoms.…”

Dor musculoesquelética em motoristas e cobradores de ônibus da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Brasil

“…Em relação à dor no ombro, a prevalência de 15,4% foi aproximada aos 14,7% encontrada entre motoristas israelenses 14 , porém, menor que os 27% e 26% entre motoristas brasi-leiros 17 e venezuelanos 15 , respectivamente. A prevalência de dor no braço foi 13,3%, maior que a evidenciada entre motoristas na Coreia (6,2%) 3 . Já a prevalência de dor nas mãos (6,3%) foi comparável aos 6% e 6,2% encontrados na Venezuela 15 e na Coreia 3 respectivamente.…”

“…Em relação às cargas biomecânicas, destacam-se a postura sentada e os movimentos constantes da cabeça e do tronco 14 , os quais geram pressões localizadas nas estruturas musculoesqueléticas com reflexos para os grupamentos musculares na região do ombro e pescoço 32 . Apoio para a região cervical é um aparato recomendado para aliviar as tensões musculares sobre os discos intervertebrais 14 , mas a concepção da cadeira dos motoristas e cobradores nem sempre segue essa recomendação ergonômica 3 .…”

“…Fatores ocupacionais influenciam a precipitação e a evolução da dor musculoesquelética em trabalhadores 1 , levando a prejuízos na qualidade de vida do indivíduo 2 . Nos últimos anos, as pesquisas sobre os sintomas musculoesqueléticos têm sido realizadas no setor de serviços, por exemplo, o transporte urbano 3 , ultrapassando o foco anteriormente concentrado no setor industrial.…”

Muscle activity and mood state during simulated plant factory work in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury

“…If plant factory work is simplified through the use of assistive devices, the work time will shorten. Work pace is a key issue in production system design 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ) ; improvement of work efficiency may also prevent additional work-related musculoskeletal disorders.…”