Fifteen minutes of neuromuscular training each day could improve balance and reduce fall risk for construction workers, according to a results of study recently published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.
Researches assigned healthy, middle-aged construction workers to an intervention or control group to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular exercise on static and functional balance performance, as well as on lower limb explosive power.
The intervention group performed static and dynamic balance exercises, as well as strength exercises for 13 weeks, with a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Unilateral postural sway, backward balancing and vertical jump height were assessed before and after the intervention, and at an 8-week follow-up.
Researchers found a reduction in time interaction for postural sway for the intervention group. Additionally, the number of successful steps while walking backward on a 3-cm beam increased in the intervention group. No relevant changes were noted in the control group.
For more information:
Faude O. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2014;doi:10.1007/s00420-014-0994-x.
Disclosure: Faude has no relevant financial disclosures.
