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 1 Supplementary breaks and stretching exercises for data entry operators: a follow-up field study
Authors Galinsky-T; Swanson-N; Sauter-S; Dunkin-R; Hurrell-J; Schleifer-L 
Source Am J Ind Med 2007 Jul; 50(7):519-527 
Link http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20472 
NIOSHTIC No. 20032255 
AbstractBACKGROUND: This study expanded previous NIOSH-IRS research examining the effects of rest breaks and stretching exercises on symptoms and performance in data-entry workers. METHODS: All workers spent 4 weeks with conventional breaks (two 15 min breaks per day) and 4 weeks with supplementary breaks (two 15 min breaks plus four 5 min breaks per day). One-half were assigned at random to a group instructed to perform brief stretching exercises during breaks. The remainder comprised the "no stretching" (control) group. RESULTS: 51 workers (stretch group n = 21; no stretch group n = 30) completed the study symptom questionnaires. Discomfort and eyestrain were significantly lower with supplementary breaks, and supplementary breaks attenuated accumulation of discomfort and eyestrain during work sessions. Data-entry speed was significantly faster with supplementary breaks so that work output was maintained, despite replacing 20 min of work time with break time. In the stretch group, workers reported stretching during only 25% of conventional breaks and 39% of supplementary breaks, and no significant effects of stretching on discomfort or performance were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further converging evidence that supplementary breaks reliably minimize discomfort and eyestrain without impairing productivity. Low compliance in performing stretches prevented valid assessment of stretching effects. Further research on stretching exercises and exercise compliance is warranted. 
KeywordsOffice-workers; Data-processing; Musculoskeletal-system; Muscle-tension; Eye-strain; Statistical-analysis; Fatigue 
ContactTraci Galinsky, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS C-24, Cincinnati, OH 45226 
CODENAJIMD8 
Publication Date20070701 
Document TypeJournal Article 
Email Addresstgalinsky@cdc.gov 
Fiscal Year2007 
NTIS Accession No. 
NTIS Price 
Issue of Publication7 
ISSN0271-3586 
NIOSH DivisionDART 
Source NameAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine 
StateOH; DC 
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