The connection between exertion and the prevalence of low back pain among hospital staff Theoretical background: Low back pain is more frequent in professional groups with a workload and overall ...physical work required. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the exertion on the low back pain prevalence and medical treatment among hospital staff. Methods: The study is based on the meta-analysis study design. The analysis involved research reports published in the last 5 years as original scientific articles in journals included in the international electronic databases CINAHL®, ERIC and MEDLINE, which were focused on exertion impact on low back pain prevalence among adult hospital staff (Mean=34.9 years), with at least 40 units in the sample. Regarding initial and final criteria for inclusion we classified an additional 8 articles. Results: The results showed 61.58% low back prevalence among hospital staff. Physical activity is a factor with an important impact on the low back pain prevalence among hospital staff. 62.5% of analysed studies have confirmed this significant direct positive impact. There are two forms of exertion that are important: physical activity in the leisure time and physical movement at the work place. They both act synergistically. Discussion and conclusion: Low back pain among hospital staff could be prevented with regular exercise, at least twice a week in an organised form, which includes aerobic exercise for increasing body fitness, exercise for trunk muscle strength and back muscle flexibility, educational programs for safe work body postures and safe patient handling and transfers. Further investigations are needed for evaluating the efficiency of the exercise therapeutic program in low back medical treatment. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
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