Introduction

Most work-related musculoskeletal injuries develop over time and there is usually no single cause for these injuries, but they are usually the result of a combination of several factors. Physical causes and organizational risk factors include load handling, repetitive or strenuous movements, incorrect and static postures, thermic discomfort, exposure to vibrations and working at a fast pace. The employer is responsible for implementing a risk prevention/reduction plan, allowing workers to play their part in creating a healthy work environment. By being available to be approached, showing sensitivity, and promoting a supportive work environment, management will not only allow workers to ventilate their problems and encourage them to find solutions to them.

Objectives

To identify the contents and structure of a labor gymnastics program for health professionals and evaluate its content validity regarding its periodicity, duration, and type of exercises.

Methods

An e-Delphi technique was used with three rounds, and a sample of fifteen experts (two physiotherapists, six rehabilitation nurses, two physical education teachers, and five higher education health professors) was enrolled. Inclusion criteria were to have a minimum of ten years of professional experience, a minimum academic degree of Master (Doctor for professors), and previous experience developing physical activity programs in a work context (preferential). In the first open round, the experts identified the requirements regarding the periodicity, duration, and type of exercises that comprise a labor gymnastics program targeting health professionals working in hospital settings. The second and third closed rounds attempted to obtain the necessary consensus on the issues identified in the previous rounds. The consensus was set to a minimum of 70% similarity.

Results

The experts agreed that the periodicity of a labor gymnastics program depends on the type of work activity. About the duration of the program, ten to fifteen minutes per session was advised. The professional in charge of the labor gymnastics sessions should be a rehabilitation nurse, physiotherapist, or any other professional adequately trained. The appropriate time to perform the sessions of labor gymnastics should be at the beginning and during work shifts, although that would depend on the type of work performed. The type of exercises to include in the program should be adequate to the work activity developed, taking particular account ergonomic and psychological issues, consisting of stretching exercises, postural correction, relaxation, and joint mobility exercises.

Conclusion

The present study allowed to identify a workout program's structure and contents for health professionals and evaluate its validity. Considering these data, it seems now essential to carry out a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed program.

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