The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	Effects of onsite stretching exercise on employee musculoskeletal discomfort and wellbeing
Author:	Caldwell, Kellie L.
View Online:	njit-etd2015-103 (xi, 47 pages ~ 0.7 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Occupational Safety and Health Engineering
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Sengupta, Arijit K. (Committee chair) Bladikas, Athanassios K. (Committee member) Olsen, George W. (Committee member)
Date:	2015-05
Keywords:	Musculoskeletal discomfort Musculoskeletal pain Stretching
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	To fight high incidence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort complaints among the maintenance workers in a large transportation company, this pilot intervention study of an on-site stretch and flex exercise program was implemented. The participants (n=62) were maintenance workers; whose age ranged from 26 to 69 years. A 4½-minute video was created which included still images of human figures performing stretches, while a voice recording instructed how to perform each stretch. Exercises targeted the neck, shoulders, triceps, hamstrings, and quadriceps. The exercise program was conducted 5 days a week for 5 consecutive weeks, during daily shift meetings. The results of the intervention revealed that average discomfort levels reduced significantly (p<0.1) in neck (1.4 down to 0.76), in upper extremity (1.4 down to 0.79), in lower extremity (2.2 down to 1.29), and while performing activities of daily living in terms of personal care (0.3 down to 0.05), and lifting (0.52 down to 0.22) activities. Employee attitude towards performing stretch flex exercise at work had also improved after participating for 5 weeks. The study results strongly suggest that an on-site stretch and flex exercise program is an effective means of relieving pain and discomforts from manual work, and perceived to be beneficial by the workers.