Exercise Prescription for the Work-Life Population and Beyond

• Published in: Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology 2023-05, Vol.8 (2), p.73
• Main Authors: Sjøgaard, Gisela, Søgaard, Karen, Hansen, Anne Faber, Østergaard, Anne Skov, Teljigovic, Sanel, Dalager, Tina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Aerobics; Employment; Exercise; exercise interventions; Exercise therapy; Fitness training programs; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Middle management; Musculoskeletal diseases; musculoskeletal disorders; musculoskeletal pain; physical capacity; Physical fitness; Prevention; Productivity; Review; Sport science; Sports training; Strength training; Worker absenteeism; Workers; Working hours; workplace health promotion
• ISSN: 2411-5142; 2411-5142
• DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8020073

The background for this paper concerns a high frequency of work-related disorders that may result from physical exposure at work being highly sedentary, repetitive-monotonous, or physically demanding. This may result in levels of physical inactivity or strenuous activity impairing health. The aim is to present an evidence-based exercise prescription for the work-life population and beyond. The exercise program is designed to be feasible for use at the workplace and/or during leisure time and to improve health, workability, productivity, sickness absence, etc. The specific concept of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training, IPET, includes the assessment of several health-related variables, including musculoskeletal disorders, physical capacity, and physical exposure at work and/or daily life activity. An algorithm with cut-points for prescribing specific exercises is provided. Exercise programs in praxis are addressed through descriptions of precise executions of various prescribed exercises and possible alternatives to optimize variation and adherence. Finally, perspectives on the significance of introducing IPET and the ongoing, as well as future lines of development, are discussed.