Effects of physical exercise on musculoskeletal disorders, stress and quality of life in workers.

BACKGROUND: The effect of physical exercise in the workplace (PEW) on health promotion of workers is contradictory.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the PEW in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), perception of stress and quality of life in workers.

METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups: control group (n = 46) including non-participant workers of the PEW program, and PEW group (n = 50) including workers who regularly participate in the exercise program. All workers answered the Nordic general questionnaire, the perceived stress scale and the quality-of-life questionnaire.

RESULTS: The PEW group reported a lower prevalence of MSDs for the trunk in the last 7 days and 12 months (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001, respectively), and for the upper limbs in the last 12 months (p = 0.001) compared with the control group . The results for the perception of stress and quality of life showed no significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSION: PEW is a potential method to reduce MSDs in workers, but it was not efficient in reducing stress levels or improving the quality of life of the workers.