PURPOSE: To assess effects of 1-year Intelligent physical exercise training (IPET) on musculoskeletal health. METHODS: Office workers were randomized 1:1 to a training group, TG (n = 193), or a control group, CG (n = 194). TG received 1 h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year and was recommended to perform 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity for 6 days a week during leisure. The IPET program was based on baseline health measures. RESULTS: No baseline differences were present. An intention-to-treat analysis showed significant between-group effect for muscle strength but not for musculoskeletal pain. However, a per-protocol analysis of those with an adherence of >= 70% demonstrated a significant between-group effect for neck pain during the past three months. Several significant within-group changes were present, where TG and TG >= 70% demonstrated clinically relevant pain reductions whereas minimal reductions were seen for CG. CONCLUSION: IPET and recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant between-group effect on muscle strength. Interestingly, significant within-group reductions in musculoskeletal pain were seen not only in TG but also in CG. This may underlie the lack of such between-group effect and shows that a possible positive side effect of merely drawing attention can improve musculoskeletal health.

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