INTRODUCTION: Nursing professionals (NP) have a very stressful work routine that makes them a category of risk for the development of occupational diseases. Physical exercises can ease stress, but there is doubt about the benefits of muscle stretching. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of stretching exercises on stress in NP. METHOD: This is a randomized, parallel type study with the participation of 39 NPs (experimental = 20, control = 19). The occupational and occupational stress profiles were investigated by a questionnaire. The stretching classes lasted 8 weeks, 3 times weekly and 40 minute sessions. The data were treated with descriptive statistics and ANCOVA test (p <= 0.05). RESULTS: Regarding the occupational profile and occupational stress, the results showed that 64% considered the work 'heavy' with more than 10h/day (97%). On holiday, 62% reported taking more than 20 days, but 28% worked in that period. More than half were involved in other professional activities (51%) and used to work on weekends (97%). In the previous year, 49% were absent from the service one or more times for health reasons. Most of them (56%) were dissatisfied with their professional life, but considered the work environment to be 'very good' (92%) and 'good' and the relationship with colleagues as 'very good' (98%). After eight weeks of classes, there was a decrease in stress (F = 43.522, p < 0.001, effect size 0.547). CONCLUSION: Despite the work profile and stress, stretching exercises provided attenuation of occupational stress in NPs.

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