Effects of physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW) on the perception and intensity of musculoskeletal pain experienced by garment workers.

OBJECTIVE: The physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW) are applied to minimize the prevalence, incidence and intensity of pain. This study evaluated the perception of pain and quantifies its intensity among garment workers before and after performing a PAPW. PARTICIPANTS: We included 61 workers of a clothing company, who were classified randomly into experimental group (n = 44) 28.7 ± 8.8 years old and a control group (n = 17) 27.8 ± 7.4 years (20-43 years). METHODS: The Trigger Points test questionnaire was used to assess pain perception and quantify its intensity. The PAPW was conducted in 15-minute sessions per day, consisting of stretching exercises (40%), muscular endurance (40%), self-massage relaxation and massage techniques (10%), and group dynamics (10%). RESULTS: The garment workers who participated in the PAPW showed a significant reduction of pain felt in the neck and wrists, and also a reduction in pain intensity in shoulders, arms, fingers and wrists that are most often strained during sewing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PAPW that target muscle groups that are more tense in sewing tasks, may be considered by companies for supporting adaptation to the work environment and improving health by reducing muscle and joint pain.

Perfil lipídico e nível de atividade física de adolescentes escolares / Lipidic profile and the level of physical activity of adolescent scholars

Objetivo: Verificar a relação entre o perfil lipídico e o nível de atividade física de adolescentes escolares do município de Rio Verde-GO, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo descritivo e transversal, realizado em 2006, com população composta por 1.229 adolescentes escolares, de ambos os gêneros, com idades variando de 15 a 17 anos (X = 15,9 anos, DP+ 0,81), de escolas públicas e privadas. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). Posteriormente, 48 adolescentes realizaram lipidograma. As concentrações lipídicas de colesterol total (CT), frações HDL-c (lipoproteína de alta densidade) e LDL-c (lipoproteína de baixa densidade) e triglicerídeo (TGL) foram determinadas e avaliadas segundo os pontos de corte propostos pelas III Diretrizes Brasileiras sobre Dislipidemias e Diretriz de Prevenção da Aterosclerose do Departamento de Aterosclerose da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. A análise estatística ocorreu por meio do Teste binomial para duas proporções e Teste de Correlação de Pearson, adotando valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: Através da aplicação do IPAQ encontrou-se um percentual de 77,7% de adolescentes ativos e 22,3% de adolescentes insuficientemente ativos, com maior percentual de adolescentes ativos no sexo masculino (p = 0,0000). Adolescentes de ambos os sexos pertencentes à rede pública apresentaram-se mais ativos que os da rede privada. O perfil lipídico dos adolescentes avaliados apresentou-se dentro da normalidade. Conclusão: Não houve relação entre o nível de atividade física e o perfil lipídico dos adolescentes avaliados.

Objective: To assess the relationship between lipid profile and physical activity level of adolescent students in Rio Verde-GO, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted in 2006, with a population comprised by 1,229 adolescent students of both genders, aged 15 to 17 years (X = 15.9 years, SD + 0.81), from public and private schools. The level of physical activity was assessed through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Later, 48 teenagers underwent a lipidogram (lipid profile). Lipid concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-c (high density lipoprotein) and LDL(low density lipoprotein) and triglycerides (TGL) were determined and assessed according to cutoff points proposed by the III Brazilian Guidelines on dyslipidemias and Guideline of Atherosclerosis, Department of Atherosclerosis of Brazilian Society of Cardiology. Statistical analysis was performed by binomial test for proportions and Pearson?s correlation test, adopting p <0.05. Results: Applying IPAQ we found a percentage of 77.7% active adolescents and 22.3% of insufficiently active adolescents, with the highest percentage of active teens in males (p = 0.0000). Adolescents of both sexes from public network were considered more active than teens from private schools. The lipid profile of the studied adolescents was within normal range. Conclusion: There was no relationship between physical activity level and lipid profile of the adolescents assessed.