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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of low back symptoms in office workers: A cluster randomized controlled cross-over design

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Objectives. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of low back symptoms. Methods. The study was a cluster randomized controlled trial with department (n = 4) as the unit of randomization. The subjects were office workers [(n = 36), mean age 47.1 (SD 8.4) years] who self-reported low back symptoms, which restricted their daily activities during the last 12 months. Low back symptoms were measured using the Borg CR10 scale. The cross-over design consisted of one intervention period of light resistance training and guidance and no training and no guidance of 15 weeks duration. Statistical analyses were based on linear mixed models. Results. The active component of the intervention, light resistance training, resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, decrease in the intensity of low back symptoms (p = 0.020). At the average training time of 5 minutes per working day (25 min/week) the average decrease during the 15-week period was 0.42 CR10 (95% CI 0.07–0.77) and 19% (95% CI 3–35). Conclusion. A physical exercise intervention, which included daily light resistance training, conducted during the working day affected low back symptoms in a positive direction among symptomatic office workers.