Dataset Information

It is Time to Have Rest: How do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Work.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes. The health risk of office workers is an increasing concern for the society and industry, with prolonged sitting work becoming more prevalent.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the variation in muscle activities during prolonged sitting work and found out when and how to take a break to mitigate the risk of muscle symptoms.

Methods

A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the prevalence of muscle discomfort in sedentary work. Firstly, a 2-h sedentary computer work was designed based on the preliminary study to investigate the variation in muscle activities. Twenty-four participants took part in the electromyography (EMG) measurement study. The EMG variations in the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi were investigated. Then the intervention time was determined based on the EMG measurement study. Secondly, 48 participants were divided into six groups to compare the effectiveness of every break type (passive break, active break of changing their posture, and stand and stretch their body with 5 or 10 mins). Finally, data consisting of EMG amplitudes and spectra and subjective assessment of discomfort were analyzed.

Results

In the EMG experiment, results from the joint analysis of the spectral and amplitude method showed muscle fatigue after about 40 mins of sedentary work. In the intervention experiment, the results showed that standing and stretching for 5 mins was the most effective break type, and this type of break could keep the muscles' state at a recovery level for about 30-45 mins.

Conclusions

This study offers the possibility of being applied to office workers and provides preliminary data support and theoretical exploration for a follow-up early muscle fatigue detection system.

SUBMITTER: Ding Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7303538 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

It is Time to Have Rest: How do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Work.

Ding Yi Y Cao Yaqin Y Duffy Vincent G VG Zhang Xuefeng X

Safety and health at work 20200409 2

<h4>Background</h4>Prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes. The health risk of office workers is an increasing concern for the society and industry, with prolonged sitting work becoming more prevalent.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to explore the variation in muscle activities during prolonged sitting work and found out when and how to take a break to mitigate the risk of muscle symptoms.<h4>Methods</h4>A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the prevalence of mu ...[more]

PMID: 32596017

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Project description:BackgroundThe most recent evidence has shown that the pandemic of COVID-19 caused an increasing problem with spinal pain in the population of teenagers and young adults. This may be explained by prolonged sitting times in flexed positions with electronic devices. Positions maintained for a prolonged time cause overloading of soft tissue and discogenic symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the active break program in reducing musculoskeletal discomfort and LBP (low back pain) among young people.MethodsThis will be a randomized controlled study. The participants will be recruited from Bachelor's course students of the Physical Education Department aged 18-25 years. The participants will be assigned to an experimental group (with an active break) and a control group. The group with an active break with lumbar and hip extension exercises will be recommended to take a break for every 30 min of sitting. The control group will receive self-care recommendations. The primary outcomes will be pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), disability index (Oswestry Disability Index), and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting (Borg scale), assessed at baseline and after the intervention, and the Global Perceived Effect, only assessed after the 12-week intervention. The secondary outcome will be a Post-Intervention Questionnaire (a 5-item self-completed questionnaire), only assessed after the 12-week intervention.ResultsOur main research outcome-exercise protocols and interventions-will lead to the development of recommendations and protocols for the LBP population. It is important to determine the effect of interventions that are feasible and effective in addressing LBP and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort in young people.ConclusionsThis is the first study examining the effect of active breaks with proposed lumbar and hip extension exercises on reducing or decreasing LBP in students based on a search of the literature. Exercises and recommendations will be the basis for developing proprietary preventative and therapeutic programs, which will be implemented in selected educational institutions.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Office-based workers accumulate high amounts of sitting time. Stand More At Work (SMArT Work) aimed to reduce occupational sitting time and a cluster randomised controlled trial demonstrated it was successful in achieving this aim. The purpose of this paper is to present the process evaluation of the SMArT Work intervention. METHODS:Questionnaire data were collected from intervention participants at 6 months (n?=?58) and 12?months (n?=?55). Questionnaires sought feedback on the different components of the intervention (education, height-adjustable desk, Darma cushion, behaviour feedback, progress chats (coaching) with research team, action planning/goal setting diary) and experiences of evaluation measures. Control participants (n?=?37) were asked via questionnaire at 12-month follow-up about the impact of the study on their behaviour and any lifestyle changes made during the study. Participants from both arms were invited to focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences on completion of 12-month follow-up. RESULTS:Focus group and questionnaire data showed a positive attitude towards the height-adjustable workstation with a high proportion of participants using it every day (62%). Most participants (92%) felt the education seminar increased their awareness of the health consequences of too much sitting and motivated them to change their behaviour. Receiving feedback on their sitting time and support from the research team also encouraged behaviour change. The Darma cushion and action planning/goal setting diary were seen to be less helpful for behaviour change. Benefits experienced included fewer aches and pains, improved cognitive functioning, increased productivity, more energy and positive feelings about general health. CONCLUSIONS:Key elements of the programme identified as facilitating behaviour change were the educational seminar, the height-adjustable workstation, behavioural feedback and regular contact with research staff through regular progress chats. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ISRCTN: ISRCTN10967042. Registered on 2 February 2015.

Dataset Information

It is Time to Have Rest: How do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Work.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

It is Time to Have Rest: How do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Work.

Similar Datasets

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