We found low- quality evidence that different work-break frequencies may have no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue .
For productivity and work performance , evidence was of very low- quality that different work-break frequencies may have a positive effect .
For different types of break , there may be no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue according to low- quality evidence .
Furthermore , work-break interventions should be reconsidered , taking into account worker population s other than office workers , and taking into account the possibility of combining work-break intervention with other interventions such as ergonomic training or counselling , which may may possibly have an effect on musculoskeletal outcomes and work performance
BACKGROUND Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that comprise one of the most common disorders related to occupational sick leave worldwide .
Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 21 % to 28 % of work absenteeism days in 2017/2018 in the Netherl and s , Germany and the UK .
There are several interventions that may be effective in tackling the high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers , such as physical , cognitive and organisational interventions .
In this review , we will focus on work breaks as a measure of primary prevention , which are a type of organisational intervention .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of different work-break schedules for preventing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in healthy workers , when compared to conventional or alternate work-break schedules .
Effects of activity-rest schedules on physiological strain and spinal load in hospital-based porters
Workers in physically dem and ing occupations require rest breaks to recover from physiological stress and biomechanical loading . Physiological stress can increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and repeated loading of the spine may increase the potential for incurring back pain . The aim of the study was to assess the impact of an altered activity-rest schedule on physiological and spinal loading in hospital-based porters . An existing 4-h activity-rest schedule was obtained from observations on eight male porters . This schedule formed the normal trial , which included two 5- and one 15-min breaks . An alternative 4-h schedule was proposed ( experimental condition ) that had two breaks each of 12.5 min . It was hypothesized that the experimental trial is more effective in promoting recovery from physiological strain and spinal shrinkage than the normal trial , due to the 5-min breaks being insufficient to allow physiological variables to return to resting levels or the intervertebral discs to reabsorb fluid . Ten males performed both test conditions and oxygen uptake VO2 , heart rate , minute ventilation VE , perceived exertion and spinal shrinkage were recorded . There were no significant differences in any of the measured variables between the two trials ( p > 0.05 ) . Median heart rates were 78 ( range 71–93 ) and 82 ( 71–90 ) beats.min - 1 for the normal trial and the experimental trial respectively , indicating that the activity was of low intensity . The light intensity was corroborated by the oxygen uptakes ( 0.75 , range 0.65 - 0.94 l.min - 1 . Spinal shrinkage occurred to the same extent in the two trials ( 2.12±3.16 mm and 2.88±2.92 mm in the normal trial and the experimental trial respectively ) . Varying the length and positioning of the rest breaks did not significantly affect the physiological responses or magnitude of spinal shrinkage between the two trials . More physically dem and ing work than the porters ' schedule should induce greater physiological fatigue and spinal shrinkage . The ratio between activity and rest breaks would then become more important
We found low- quality evidence that different work-break frequencies may have no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue .
For productivity and work performance , evidence was of very low- quality that different work-break frequencies may have a positive effect .
For different types of break , there may be no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue according to low- quality evidence .
Furthermore , work-break interventions should be reconsidered , taking into account worker population s other than office workers , and taking into account the possibility of combining work-break intervention with other interventions such as ergonomic training or counselling , which may may possibly have an effect on musculoskeletal outcomes and work performance
BACKGROUND Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that comprise one of the most common disorders related to occupational sick leave worldwide .
Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 21 % to 28 % of work absenteeism days in 2017/2018 in the Netherl and s , Germany and the UK .
There are several interventions that may be effective in tackling the high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers , such as physical , cognitive and organisational interventions .
In this review , we will focus on work breaks as a measure of primary prevention , which are a type of organisational intervention .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of different work-break schedules for preventing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in healthy workers , when compared to conventional or alternate work-break schedules .