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A COMPARISON OF FLEXION AND EXTENSION EXERCISES IN WORKERS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER

Randolph, Joann K.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin992446724

Abstract Details

2000, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Nursing : Doctoral Program in Nursing.
Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are soft tissue injuries of the muscles, nerves, and joints, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. CTDs are an accumulation of progressive pathological changes that ultimately culminate into an injury. The hallmark symptoms of clinical CTDs are discomfort, pain, and paresthesias. The severity of symptoms can vary between a transient aching, discomfort, and fatigue to significant pain and paresthesias that result in permanent disability. Upper extremity CTDs are common in industries that have jobs that include highly repetitive motion tasks. The prevalence of CTDs in these industries is significant, and has a considerable impact on both industry and the individual worker. This study was guided by theory from three separate disciplines, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, and Ergonomics. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of exercise on workers in an effort to reduce or delay discomfort, increase strength, and potentially reduce the progressive pathology of CTDs. Two exercise protocols at two intensities were performed by on workers doing occupational repetitive motion tasks. Flexion exercises were compared to extension exercises in a six-week exercise training program. Three industrial sites were used to conduct the study, all with a high incidence of upper extremity CTDs claims. A convenience sample of 85 subjects was initially entered into the study. Fifteen subjects dropped out of the study. The remaining 70 subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment exercise groups or a control group. The variables of interest were discomfort, as measured by a visual analog scale, and strength in six upper extremity muscle groups. A repeated measures ANOVA using a one-within, one-between design was used. The results of this study were as follows: iv Discomfort: Discomfort was significantly reduced in all subjects doing exercise training across the groups after six weeks [F=43.85, (2, 62) p=. 000]. Strength: An overall significant increase in strength was observed following six weeks of exercise training [F=12.32, p=. 000]. A significant difference in strength across all six muscles tested was also seen [F=67.38, p=. 000]. Finally, a significant interaction effect among the six muscle groups, the three time periods (baseline, three, and six weeks), and the five subject groups was observed [F=1.53, p=. 035]. However, the Mauchly's Test of Sphericity revealed that the sample had a high variance in strength across time. These data were interpreted cautiously due to the violation of this assumption. This study provides initial support for two exercise programs in workers doing repetitive motion tasks. Exercise training may be a factor in diminishing the individual workers' vulnerability to CTDs.
Linda Baas (Advisor)
CUMMULATIVE TRAUMA DISEASE; DISCOMFORT; CTD; STRENGTH

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Randolph, J. K. (2000). A COMPARISON OF FLEXION AND EXTENSION EXERCISES IN WORKERS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin992446724

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Randolph, Joann. A COMPARISON OF FLEXION AND EXTENSION EXERCISES IN WORKERS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER. 2000. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin992446724.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Randolph, Joann. "A COMPARISON OF FLEXION AND EXTENSION EXERCISES IN WORKERS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin992446724

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.