BACKGROUND: More than half of all adults have experienced neck pain during the last six months. Studies have demonstrated reduced pain in the neck-and shoulder region after specific strength training of the affected muscles, but specific endurance training of neck and shoulder muscles has not been properly examined. AIM: To examine the impact of Nordic walking (NW) compared to specific strength training (ST) and a non-training control group (Con) on self-reported neck-and shoulder pain among office workers. DESIGN: Randomized intervention trial with a stratified control group. SETTINGS: University research laboratory. POPULATION: Thirty-four female office workers with neck- and shoulder pain. METHODS: The participants were allocated to NW, ST or Con. Pain intensity (0 to 100 mm visual analog scale), isometric abduction strength and a Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were assessed pre, post and 10 weeks postintervention. Both training groups attended the training programs twice per week for ten weeks (30 minutes per session). RESULTS: Both training groups demonstrated a similar (p = 0.421 to 0.802), but significant reduction in pain intensity (p = 0.014 to 0.018). Between post-test and the 10 weeks postintervention test, similar pain intensity was observed in the NW (p = 0.932) while the ST demonstrated an increase (p = 0.136). Throughout the testing period, no difference in pain was observed for the Con (p = 0.724 to 1.000) or between the Con and the training groups (p = 0.421 to 0.802). No changes in strength and 6MWT were observed between or within the groups (p = 0.184 to 0.870). CONCLUSIONS: Both NW and ST reduced pain for office workers with low neck-and shoulder pain and appear to be useful exercise modalities for this group.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher