Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neuromuscular training in construction workers: a longitudinal controlled pilot study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Many accidents at construction sites are due to falls. An exercise-based workplace intervention may improve intrinsic fall risk factors. In this pilot study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of neuromuscular exercise on static and functional balance performance as well as on lower limb explosive power in construction workers.

Methods

Healthy middle-aged construction workers were non-randomly assigned to an intervention [N = 20, age = 40.3 (SD 8.3) years] or a control group [N = 20, age = 41.8 (9.9) years]. The intervention group performed static and dynamic balance and strength exercises (13 weeks, 15 min each day). Before and after the intervention and after an 8-week follow-up, unilateral postural sway, backward balancing (on 3- and 4.5-cm-wide beams) as well as vertical jump height were assessed.

Results

We observed a group × time interaction for postural sway (p = 0.002) with a reduction in the intervention group and no relevant change in the control group. Similarly, the number of successful steps while walking backwards on the 3-cm beam increased only in the intervention group (p = 0.047). These effects were likely to most likely practically beneficial from pretest to posttest and to follow-up test for postural sway (+12 %, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.65 and 17 %, SMD = 0.92) and backward balancing on the 3-cm beam (+58 %, SMD = 0.59 and 37 %, SMD = 0.40).

Conclusions

Fifteen minutes of neuromuscular training each day can improve balance performance in construction workers and, thus, may contribute to a decreased fall risk.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batterham AM, Hopkins WG (2006) Making meaningful inferences about magnitudes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 1(1):50–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentley TA, Haslam RA (2001) Identification of risk factors and countermeasures for slip, trip and fall accidents during the delivery of mail. Appl ergon 32(2):127–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi CF, Chang TC, Ting HI (2005) Accident patterns and prevention measures for fatal occupational falls in the construction industry. Appl ergon 36(4):391–400. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2004.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coren S (1993) The lateral preference inventory for measurement of handedness, footedness, eyedness, and earedness: norms for young adults. Bull Psychon Soc 31(1):1–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney TK, Sorock GS, Manning DP, Collins JW, Holbein-Jenny MA (2001) Occupational slip, trip, and fall-related injuries–can the contribution of slipperiness be isolated? Ergonomics 44(13):1118–1137. doi:10.1080/00140130110085538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donath L, Roth R, Zahner L, Faude O (2012) Testing single and double limb standing balance performance: comparison of COP path length evaluation between two devices. Gait Posture S0966-6362(12):00120–00128. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.04.001

    Google Scholar 

  • Donath L, Roth R, Rueegge A, Groppa M, Zahner L, Faude O (2013) Effects of slackline training on balance, jump performance and muscle activity in young children. Int J Sports Med 34(12):1093–1098. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1337949

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faude O, Kellmann M, Ammann T, Schnittker R, Meyer T (2011) Seasonal changes in stress indicators in high level football. Int J Sports Med 32(4):259–265. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1269894

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frey I, Berg A, Keul J (1995) Assessment and evaluation of leisure activity of participants in heart rehabilitation groups. Wien Klin Wochenschr 107(24):774–777

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gauchard G, Chau N, Mur JM, Perrin P (2001) Falls and working individuals: role of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Ergonomics 44(14):1330–1339. doi:10.1080/00140130110084791

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie LD, et al. (2012) Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 9:CD007146 doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007146.pub3

  • Granacher U, Gollhofer A, Strass D (2006) Training induced adaptations in characteristics of postural reflexes in elderly men. Gait Posture 24(4):459–466. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2005.12.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Granacher U, Muehlbauer T, Zahner L, Gollhofer A, Kressig RW (2011a) Comparison of traditional and recent approaches in the promotion of balance and strength in older adults. Sports Med 41(5):377–400. doi:10.2165/11539920-000000000-00000

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granacher U, Wick C, Rueck N, Esposito C, Roth R, Zahner L (2011b) Promoting balance and strength in the middle-aged workforce. Int J Sports Med 32(1):35–44. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1267214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gruber M, Gollhofer A (2004) Impact of sensorimotor training on the rate of force development and neural activation. Eur J Appl Physiol 92(1–2):98–105. doi:10.1007/s00421-004-1080-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heitkamp HC, Horstmann T, Mayer F, Weller J, Dickhuth HH (2001) Gain in strength and muscular balance after balance training. Int J Sports Med 22(4):285–290. doi:10.1055/s-2001-13819

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hewett TE, Lindenfeld TN, Riccobene JV, Noyes FR (1999) The effect of neuromuscular training on the incidence of knee injury in female athletes. A prospective study. Am J Sports Med 27(6):699–706

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins WG (2006) Analysis of a pre-post controlled trial (Excel spreadsheet). newstats.org/xParallelGroupTrial.xls. In. http://www.sportsci.org Accessed 10 February 2012

  • Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J (2009) Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41(1):3–13. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsiao H, Simeonov P (2001) Preventing falls from roofs: a critical review. Ergonomics 44(5):537–561. doi:10.1080/00140130110034480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hübscher M, Zech A, Pfeifer K, Hansel F, Vogt L, Banzer W (2010) Neuromuscular training for sports injury prevention: a systematic review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42(3):413–421. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181b88d37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiers H, van Dieen J, Dekkers H, Wittink H, Vanhees L (2013) A systematic review of the relationship between physical activities in sports or daily life and postural sway in upright stance. Sports Med 43(11):1171–1189. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0082-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler A, Kressig RW, Schindler C, Granacher U (2012) Adherence rate in intervention programs for the promotion of physical activity in older adults: a systematic literature review. Praxis 101(24):1535–1547. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a001129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leamon TB, Murphy PL (1995) Occupational slips and falls: more than a trivial problem. Ergonomics 38(3):487–498. doi:10.1080/00140139508925120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lipscomb HJ, Glazner JE, Bondy J, Guarini K, Lezotte D (2006) Injuries from slips and trips in construction. Appl ergon 37(3):267–274. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2005.07.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McPhate L, Simek EM, Haines TP (2013) Program-related factors are associated with adherence to group exercise interventions for the prevention of falls: a systematic review. J physiother 59(2):81–92. doi:10.1016/S1836-9553(13)70160-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meeuwisse WH (1994) Assessing causation in sport injury: a multifactorial model. Clin J Sport Med 4:166–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Min SN, Kim JY, Parnianpour M (2012) The effects of safety handrails and the heights of scaffolds on the subjective and objective evaluation of postural stability and cardiovascular stress in novice and expert construction workers. Appl ergon 43(3):574–581. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2011.09.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muehlbauer T, Gollhofer A, Granacher U (2011) Relationship between measures of balance and strength in middle-aged adults. J Strength Cond Res. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823f8c41

    Google Scholar 

  • Orr R (2010) Contribution of muscle weakness to postural instability in the elderly. A systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 46(2):183–220

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan CS, Chiou S, Kau TY, Bhattacharya A, Ammons D (2009) Effects of foot placement on postural stability of construction workers on stilts. Appl ergon 40(4):781–789. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2008.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papegaaij S, Taube W, Baudry S, Otten E, Hortobagyi T (2014) Aging causes a reorganization of cortical and spinal control of posture. Frontiers Aging Neurosci 6:28. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2014.00028

    Google Scholar 

  • Puder JJ et al (2011) Effect of multidimensional lifestyle intervention on fitness and adiposity in predominantly migrant preschool children (Ballabeina): cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ 343:d6195. doi:10.1136/bmj.d6195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Redfern MS et al (2001) Biomechanics of slips. Ergonomics 44(13):1138–1166. doi:10.1080/00140130110085547

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Risberg MA, Mork M, Jenssen HK, Holm I (2001) Design and implementation of a neuromuscular training program following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 31(11):620–631. doi:10.2519/jospt.2001.31.11.620

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simek EM, McPhate L, Haines TP (2012) Adherence to and efficacy of home exercise programs to prevent falls: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of exercise program characteristics. Prev Med 55(4):262–275. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.07.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simeonov P, Hsiao H, Powers J, Ammons D, Kau T, Amendola A (2011) Postural stability effects of random vibration at the feet of construction workers in simulated elevation. Appl ergon 42(5):672–681. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2010.10.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taube W, Kullmann N, Leukel C, Kurz O, Amtage F, Gollhofer A (2007) Differential reflex adaptations following sensorimotor and strength training in young elite athletes. Int J Sports Med 28(12):999–1005. doi:10.1055/s-2007-964996

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taube W, Gruber M, Gollhofer A (2008) Spinal and supraspinal adaptations associated with balance training and their functional relevance. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 193(2):101–116. doi:10.1111/j.1748-1716.2008.01850.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas S, Reading J, Shephard RJ (1992) Revision of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Can J Sport Sci 17(4):338–345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuunainen E, Rasku J, Jantti P, Pyykko I (2013) Risk factors of falls in community dwelling active elderly. Auris Nasus Larynx. doi:10.1016/j.anl.2013.05.002

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Molen HF, et al. (2012) Interventions to prevent injuries in construction workers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12:CD006251 doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006251.pub3

  • Verhagen EA, Bay K (2010) Optimising ankle sprain prevention: a critical review and practical appraisal of the literature. Br J Sports Med 44(15):1082–1088. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2010.076406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warner M, Barnes PM, Fingerhut LA (2000) Injury and poisoning episodes and conditions: National Health Interview Survey, 1997. Vital and health statistics Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(202):1–38

  • Young WB, Pryor JF, Wilson GJ (1995) Effect of instructions on characteristics of countermovement and drop jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 9(4):232–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Zech A, Hubscher M, Vogt L, Banzer W, Hansel F, Pfeifer K (2010) Balance training for neuromuscular control and performance enhancement: a systematic review. J Athl Train 45(4):392–403. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-45.4.392

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Swiss National Accidence Insurance Fund (Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt—SUVA, Luzern, Switzerland). The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Edith Müller and Sandra Mathis from SUVA as well as the Implenia AG (Aarau, Switzerland) for their help in recruiting the participants. In addition, we thank all workers and their foremen for the good compliance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstr. 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland

    Oliver Faude, Lars Donath, Micha Bopp & Lukas Zahner

  2. Institute of Sport Science, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Sara Hofmann & Daniel Erlacher

Authors
  1. Oliver Faude
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lars Donath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Micha Bopp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sara Hofmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Daniel Erlacher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lukas Zahner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oliver Faude.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Faude, O., Donath, L., Bopp, M. et al. Neuromuscular training in construction workers: a longitudinal controlled pilot study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 88, 697–705 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0994-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0994-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation