Targeting Prevention of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

This Sunday imagine yourself watching your favorite NFL team. As you're getting ready to watch think about how the players are preparing themselves too. They have had a healthy meal, visited their team doctor or athletic trainer for pre-game care and approval, stretched, warmed up, listened to their pump-up playlist, and huddled as a team to prepare and be ready for game time. Now, picture the same game, but this time the athletes did not stretch or warm up; they started playing "cold," or worse case they weren’t physically ready or cleared to play!

Now, this scenario is unfathomable.

We are all aware that this scenario would not occur because warm-ups and game clearances are established parts of the game. Regardless of whether the scenario involves professional athletes, your child preparing for a soccer game, or you getting ready for a hike, the benefits of increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles in order to reduce injuries, such as hamstring "pulls," muscle strains, ligament sprains, and ACL tears, prior to physical activity are numerous and well documented. It should be unimaginable for anyone to engage in intense physical activity "cold" or without being physically cleared, yet this happens far too often in the workplace and can result in pain, discomfort, and, in the worst case, musculoskeletal disorders.

In 2023, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) were the most common type of workplace injury and the leading cause of worker disability, involuntary retirement, and limitations to gainful employment. This issue costs businesses billions of dollars in compensation, lost productivity, and missed work days. To address this top workplace concern, caused primarily by employees being incorrectly matched to their jobs, many employers have implemented New Hire – Post Offer Tests.

In a recent study, a team of researchers analyzed nearly 60 scientific studies and academic publications after identifying 13,500 potential articles on the topic. They uncovered promising initiatives that employers can use to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. They applied rigorous inclusion criteria, including the examination of studies with comparison groups, across the top 10 affected industries. It was found that physical abilities tests are the most studied category of MSD solutions, and the study revealed several promising options to reduce MSD-related injuries.

Similar to a professional athlete, success in the workplace necessitates physical preparedness. Waiting for an injury to happen or assuming that no injuries will occur is simply unreasonable. Prioritizing physical ability and readiness for your workforce is not only wise, but it also guarantees the health and safety of all your employees.