Affiliations: Department for Adapted Physical Activity Studies,
Physical Education Institute, University Campus "Zeferino Vaz", State
University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (São Paulo), Brazil | Health Sciences Institute, University Campus Darcy
Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Cynara Cristina Domingues Alves
Pereira, Rua Érico Veríssimo, 701 – Faculdade de
Educação Física, Departamento de Estudos da Atividade
Física Adaptada, CEP: 13083-851, Caixa Postal: 6134, Campinas,
São Paulo, Brazil. Tel.: +55 19 35216618; Fax: +55 19 35216750; E-mail:
cynara.cristina@terra.com.br
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW)
are applied to minimize the prevalence, incidence and intensity of pain. This
study evaluated the perception of pain and quantifies its intensity among
garment workers before and after performing a PAPW. PARTICIPANTS: We included 61 workers of a clothing company, who were
classified randomly into experimental group (n=44) 28.7 ± 8.8 years old
and a control group (n=17) 27.8 ± 7.4 years (20–43 years). METHODS: The Trigger Points test questionnaire was used to assess
pain perception and quantify its intensity. The PAPW was conducted in 15-minute
sessions per day, consisting of stretching exercises (40%), muscular endurance
(40%), self-massage relaxation and massage techniques (10%), and group dynamics
(10%). RESULTS: The garment workers who participated in the PAPW showed a
significant reduction of pain felt in the neck and wrists, and also a reduction
in pain intensity in shoulders, arms, fingers and wrists that are most often
strained during sewing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PAPW that target muscle
groups that are more tense in sewing tasks, may be considered by companies for
supporting adaptation to the work environment and improving health by reducing
muscle and joint pain.
Keywords: Occupational health, WRMD, work environment, workplace exercises
