Postural assessment and well-being in the workplace

Aim: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are found in many working areas and affect both the socioeconomic and healthcare costs (Buckle et al., 1999) and workers’ quality of life (Aldana et al., 1993). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intervention protocol on a sample of workers with morpho-functional alterations detected through a postural assessment. Methods: The survey involved 32 employees (16 F; 16 M) of the company DIESEL S.p.A. based in Breganze, Vicenza, aged between 25 and 37 years and divided into a control group (CG: 17 individuals) and an experimental group (EG: 15 individuals). The EG was submitted to a protocol of postural gymnastics. For the purpose of the postural assessment, the Postural Experience program was used in times T0 and T1 (six months later). Results: For the statistical analyses, the following parameters were considered: PFA-eyes; PFA-shoulders; PFP-SIPS; PS-acoustic meatus. At T0, in the full sample, for each variable the values of the averages were greater than zero, thereby representing poor posture indications. At T1, the values of the averages of the CG remained unchanged, while the values of the averages of the EG decreased. The results of the Pearson Correlation showed a significance in both groups between the bending angle and inclination angle variables at both T0 and T1, with a decrease at T1 in the EG (= 0.636; = 0.439). Conclusions: the study has confirmed that the regular participation in motor activity programs represents an effective prevention and/or co-treatment method against postural alterations related to the work environment.