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Neuromuscular training in construction workers: a longitudinal controlled pilot study

Faude, Oliver ; Donath, Lars ; Bopp, Micha ; Hofmann, Sara ; Erlacher, Daniel ; Zahner, Lukas

In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2015, vol. 88, no. 6, p. 697-705

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    Titel
    • Neuromuscular training in construction workers: a longitudinal controlled pilot study
    Autor
    • Faude, Oliver. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstr. 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
    • Donath, Lars. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstr. 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
    • Bopp, Micha. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstr. 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
    • Hofmann, Sara. Institute of Sport Science, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Erlacher, Daniel. Institute of Sport Science, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Zahner, Lukas. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstr. 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
    Dokumententyp
    • Postprint
    Sprache
    • Englisch
    Veröffentlicht in
    • International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2015, vol. 88, no. 6, p. 697-705. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Andere elektronische Ausgabe
    OAI-PMH-ID
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:332106
    Summary
    Objective: Many accidents at construction sites are due to falls. An exercise-based workplace intervention may improve intrinsic fall risk factors. In this pilot study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of neuromuscular exercise on static and functional balance performance as well as on lower limb explosive power in construction workers. Methods: Healthy middle-aged construction workers were non-randomly assigned to an intervention [N=20, age=40.3 (SD 8.3) years] or a control group [N=20, age=41.8 (9.9) years]. The intervention group performed static and dynamic balance and strength exercises (13weeks, 15min each day). Before and after the intervention and after an 8-week follow-up, unilateral postural sway, backward balancing (on 3- and 4.5-cm-wide beams) as well as vertical jump height were assessed. Results: We observed a group×time interaction for postural sway (p=0.002) with a reduction in the intervention group and no relevant change in the control group. Similarly, the number of successful steps while walking backwards on the 3-cm beam increased only in the intervention group (p=0.047). These effects were likely to most likely practically beneficial from pretest to posttest and to follow-up test for postural sway (+12%, standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.65 and 17%, SMD=0.92) and backward balancing on the 3-cm beam (+58%, SMD=0.59 and 37%, SMD=0.40). Conclusions: Fifteen minutes of neuromuscular training each day can improve balance performance in construction workers and, thus, may contribute to a decreased fall risk.