An interventional study of Strength Active Pause and Mobility Active Pause in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), Occupational Diseases and Sedentary Behaviors, sponsored by University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Completed at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-09.
Sponsored by University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if short exercise breaks at work can prevent muscle and joint pain in workers. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do strength exercises help workers move better and feel less pain?
Are strength exercises better than stretching exercises for worker health?
Researchers will compare a strength exercise program to a mobility (stretching) program to see which one works better to improve physical health and work ability.
Participants will:
Perform short exercise breaks (5 minutes) at their workplace every day for 8 weeks.
Attend one supervised session per week to learn the exercises.
Complete simple physical tests (like standing up from a chair) and answer surveys about their health at the start and end of the study.
This is a quasi-experimental study with parallel assignment. The study evaluates the effectiveness of active pauses (brief workplace exercise interventions) preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Recruitment and intervention are conducted in collaboration with "Recuperación Funcional Gurea S.Coop.Peq" at various companies in the Basque Country.
Group Allocation:
Participants are assigned to one of two groups based on their work center or worker preference to maximize participation and adherence in a real-world setting.
Interventions:
Both groups follow an 8-week program consisting of daily 5-minute sessions.
Experimental Arm (Strength): Participants perform high-intensity interval training based on resistance exercises. It involves 4 specific exercises targeting the shoulder, back, and legs using elastic bands or body weight. The intensity is monitored to reach a high level of effort.
Active Comparator Arm (Mobility): Participants perform a standard routine of 12 mobility and static stretching exercises. These are low-intensity movements designed to mobilize joints and relax muscles without inducing fatigue.
Assessments:
The Principal Investigator conducts assessments at three time points:
Baseline (Week 0): Before starting the program.
Post-Intervention (Week 8): Immediately after the 8-week program.
Follow-up (Week 20): 3 months after the intervention ends.
Outcomes:
The study measures functional capacity (30-second Sit-to-Stand test), isometric strength (handgrip and shoulder), and self-reported health using the "Senior Working Life Questionnaire" (pain intensity, work ability, and vitality).
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants perform a strength-based active pause program (5 minutes). It consists of 4 exercises using body weight and elastic bands targeting shoulder, back, and legs. 1 supervised session/week plus daily autonomous practice for 8 weeks
Behavioral: Strength Active Pause
Participants perform a traditional mobility and stretching active pause program (5 minutes). It consists of 12 low-intensity exercises mobilizing main joints. 1 supervised session/week plus daily autonomous practice for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Mobility Active Pause
High-intensity interval training protocol using resistance exercises (elastic bands) performed at the workplace.
Standard routine of articular mobility and static stretching exercises performed at the workplace.
30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test
Participants must stand up and sit down as many times as possible from a chair during a 30-second period to assess lower body functional strength.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), and Follow-up (Week 20).
Handgrip Strength
Maximum force measured in kilograms using a manual dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), and Follow-up (Week 20)
Shoulder Abduction Strength
Maximum isometric strength measured with a dynamometer while performing shoulder abduction at 90 degrees
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), and Follow-up (Week 20)
Senior Working Life Questionnaire
A 24-item questionnaire assessing seven areas: sociodemographics, life and work satisfaction, physical activity at work, health and work ability, and musculoskeletal pain. Scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), and Follow-up (Week 20)
Intervention Adherence
Number of active pause sessions completed by the participant, recorded daily in a tracking sheet
Time frame: Throughout the 8-week intervention period
This study is completed, as verified in Jul 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)