Guidance on reducing work-related fatigue by elastic band exercise for medical laboratory technicians
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2022.1Keywords:
fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders, medical laboratory technicians, exercise elastic band, COVID-19Abstract
Recently, there has been an increased trend in the incidence of muscle fatigue and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. The causes of these problems are found to be related to the nature of work, work conditions, and poor work postures. As the workload on laboratory analysis of clinical samples has significantly increased due to the ongoing outbreaks of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), medical technologists are required to work much harder with longer hours. This increasing laboratory analysis work has consequently caused muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal symptoms among medical technologists and laboratory technicians. However, scientific literature on risk factors, prevalence, and preventive measures among these occupations are still limited. The aim of this study was to provide thThis study proposed a guidance for preventing and solving this problem. This scientific article was prepared by searching, studying, and analyzing the data and information from scientific databases, as well as by a thorough review of elastic band exercise model which has proved effective in reducing muscle fatigue and pain. The data and information were then presented as scientific article. The results showed that prevalence of fatigue and musculoskeletal symptoms in these occupation groups mostly occurred in the back, neck, and shoulder. The major causes included working under high pressure, long working hours with microscopes, awkward postures such as neck and back bending, static postures of neck and shoulders, and eye strain. Previous studies have demonstrated that elastic band exercise induced flexibility and reduced individual muscle fatigue and pain effectively. Based on the studies of elastic band exercise, an exercise program recommended for these occupations consists of three stretches, followed by five exercises for 8-10 sets each. The program requires 90 minutes a day, cumulative for 3 days a week, and 8 weeks long. In conclusion, elastic band exercise can be considered as effective, safe and economical method to reduce fatigue and pain of the muscles for medical laboratory technicians and medical technologists.
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