Stretching Programs and Microbreaks As A Preventative Strategy for Ergonomics– Are They Worth the Investment?

The implementation of a stretching program as a preventative strategy for ergonomics has long been a source of debate, as research has been inconclusive in finding positive outcomes to preventing workplace injuries through in-house stretching programs. So why are companies in every industry still investing time and money on stretching programs for their workers?

The Positives Of Stretching As A Preventative Strategy For Ergonomics

The answer likely lies in the potential positives of stretching. The science of stretching has been proven to increase muscle flexibility and range of motion and has shown positive effects on muscle circulation, posture, and even stress relief – all of which lead to an overall increase in muscular health and well-being.  Whether an injury is acute or cumulative, it stands to reason that an individual with these muscular traits should be better able to recover from injury. This alone could positively impact an employer’s ability to return people to work. 

Although, research studies struggle to find reductions in injuries as a result of workplace stretching programs, there have been results showing that incorporating stretching programs and microbreaks improved workers’ ratings of pain and discomfort, and overall feelings of well-being (Elzomor et al., 2022; Shariat et al., 2018; Tunwattanapong et al., 2016). Positive psychosocial factors such as improved perceptions of well-being have shown high correlation with decreased loss time and injury reporting.

The Impact On Your Bottom Line

When we consider the impact to our corporate bottom line, another study completed among municipal firefighters showed that over a two-year recording period, employees that performed stretching and flexibility exercises had reduced worker’s compensation claims costs compared to those who did not stretch (Hilyer et al., 1990). This indicates that although stretching programs do not decrease a company’s incidents of MSDs, they can highly impact the financial cost of each claim thus minimizing the amount of time an employee is off work and the degree of treatment required.

Implementing a Stretching Program 

All things considered implementing a stretching program as a preventative strategy for ergonomics requires thought and strategy. Important factors such as the type of stretching program (static, ballistic, PNF), time allowance, and employee commitment makes a huge impact on the results a company can expect.  

If you are looking to implement a stretching program into your facility, consider the following:

• Obtain top level buy-in (i.e., financial support, commitment to the required down-time)
• Obtain employee buy-in (i.e., make posters with employee input, market the initiative)
• Seek appropriate resources (i.e., select and train stretching leaders)
• Implement a static or PNF type stretching program
• Ensure injury stats are tracked to build a case to support your program

What To Consider When Adding Stretching As A Preventative Strategy For Ergonomics

It’s important to remember that a stretching program is an administrative intervention which means that it is most effective when paired with engineering control(s). If your goal is to reduce injuries, a comprehensive approach is best. Start by making engineering changes to those work areas that have your highest risk and then pair it with the introduction of a stretching program to get the most ‘bang for your buck’!

References:

Elzomor, A., Tunkel, A., Lee, E., Jaamour, F., Davidson, L., Shaver, T.B., Niermeyer, W., Benito, D., Cole, K., Zapanta, P. (2022). Intraoperative stretching microbreaks reduce surgery-related musculoskeletal pain in otolaryngologists. Am J Otolryngol, 43(6): 103594. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103594.

Hilyer, J.C., Brown, K.C., Sirles, A.T., Peoples, L. (1990). A flexibility intervention to reduce incidence and severity of joint injuries among municipal firefighters. J Occup Med, 32(7): 631-637. doi: 10.1097/00043764-199007000-00015.

Shariat, A., Cleland, J.A., Danaee, M., Kargarfard, M., Sangelaji, B., Tamrin, S.B.M. (2018). Effects of stretching exercise training and ergonomic modifications on musculoskeletal discomforts of office workers: A randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther, 22(2): 144-153. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.09.003.

Tunwattanapong, P., Kongkasuwan, R., Kuptniratsaikul, V. (2016). The effectiveness of a neck and shoulder stretching exercise program among office workers with neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil, 30(1): 64-72. doi: 10.1177/02692155155757