Het effect van lichamelijke activiteit op arm-, nek- en schouderklachten

The object of this study was to examine, in a working population, the preventive effects of several forms of physical activity in leisure time on neck and upper limb symptoms as well as absence from work due to these symptoms. Data were used from a prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of three years. For this analysis a cohort of 1,742 employees was selected. Physical activity in leisure time was divided into sport activities and physically active commuting. To analyse the data the generalised estimating equatin (GEE) method was used. Taking part in sport for at least 10 months a year was negatively associated with neck and shoulder symptoms (OR 0.82; CI: 0.67-0.99), absence from work due to sickness (OR: 0.48; CI: 0.28-0.84) and long-term sickness absence (OR: 0.37; CI: 0.17-0.84) due to neck and upper limb symptoms. A high mean frequency (≥ 3 hours per week) of sport activities had less effect than the continuation of these activities throughout the year. No statistically significant results were found in the analyses with physically active commuting, yet a tendency towards a favourable effect could be detected.