Tai chi in female computer users
Workplace computer use has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of work disability and productivity losses in industrialized nations.
Researchers from York University, in Toronto, Ontario studied tai chi as a workplace physical exercise for health promotion.
First, the details.
- 52 participants were enrolled in a class conducted by a professional tai chi practitioner during lunch hour.
- The exercise program consisted of 2, 50-minute tai chi classes per week for 12 weeks.
- Fitness was assessed before and after the program, and included resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, anthropometric measures, musculoskeletal fitness, and back fitness.
- Psychological well-being was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale.
And, the results.
- There were significant positive results in several areas.
- Resting heart rate
- Waist circumference
- Hand grip strength
The bottom line?
The authors conclude, “The tai chi program was effective in improving musculoskeletal fitness and psychological well-being.”
That’s nice.
But considering that hand/arm and neck/shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms are common among computer users — with more than 50% reporting musculoskeletal symptoms during the first year after starting a new job — it’s too bad to that the researchers couldn’t show benefit in terms of musculoskeletal abnormalities.
A no treatment group for comparison would have been instructive.
1/3/10 18:26 JR
