Study of MSD Prevention Exercise Program on Farmers in Korea: Props Pilates Stability and Balance Exercise (PPSBE)

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are among the most costly health care problems facing society in Korea. Farmers are exposed to MSD 2.4 times than healthy people. There are alternative solutions to prevent from MSD such as hospital treatment, physical therapy and movement education. Therefore, customized exercise is necessary for farmers to manage their health by themselves. General exercise can cause pain during exercise so that stability exercise is needed for farmers with MSD to control pain. Stability Exercise such as Props Pilates Stability and Balance Exercise (PPSBE) focus on improving balance, flexibility, core strength, postural awareness and so on. The government policy of MSD Prevention has been implemented for farmers to improve working environment in Korea. Over 3,000 farmers with MSD have participated in PPSBE program from 2008 to 2015. Female usually has more MSD problem than male. In order to gather sampling data on body stability before and after the exercise program, 180 female farmers aged 50 to 65 years old were chosen and this study employed MFT (Multi-Functional Training) device. They were asked to maintain standing balance on unstable surface, in the lateral setting and forward/backward setting. PPSBE regimen was undertaken 3 times a week for 12 weeks (1 for instructor’s lecture, 2 for video lecture). PPSBE was consisted of 30-min gym ball, 30-min foam roller and 30-min tubing in group. The subjects were tested before and after the program. There was a significant improvement in body stability (BS) and the reduction of pain. These results suggest that PPSBE can be safely performed to farmers with MSD and lead to improve in stability and the reduction of pain. The more farmers do PPSBE on a regular basis, the more they prevent the MSD symptoms and reduce pain by themselves in working condition and daily life. Further support will be necessary to maintain farmers’health education programs and to keep farmers healthy against MSD in future.