Validation of a Physical Education Strategy to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders in University Administrative Staff

Authors

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders represent one of the main occupational health problems in university administrative staff, with a high prevalence associated with factors such as sedentary lifestyles, prolonged postures, and inadequate ergonomic conditions. Previous studies have documented that these conditions have a significant impact on quality of life and work productivity.

Objective: To validate a physical education intervention strategy for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in office administrative staff at the National Autonomous University of Honduras in El Paraíso.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted with a sample of 18 administrative workers. The 12-week intervention integrated three components: education in ergonomics and prevention, implementation of corrective exercises and active breaks, and environmental reorganization of workstations. Validated instruments such as the Nordic Questionnaire and the Visual Analog Scale were used.

Results: A significant reduction in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was observed, especially in the lumbar (66.7%) and cervical (56.2%) regions. Pain intensity decreased by 5.2 points on the Visual Analog Scale. Likewise, there was a 61.1% improvement in postural skills, a 45.4% reduction in static posture time, and an increase in the frequency of active breaks. The comprehensive strategy was shown to be more effective than unimodal interventions, supporting the importance of combining education, exercise, and environmental adjustments.

Conclusions: The physical education strategy validates its effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal disorders in administrative staff, and its institutional implementation is therefore recommended, together with monitoring systems and continuous training.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Raúl Orlando Figueroa Soriano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, UNAH

Profesor titular en UNAH Campus El Paraíso

DrC en Ciencias de la Cultura Física

Yefrik Yair Lanza Reyes, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, UNAH

Profesor de Actividad Física en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma Campus El Paraíso

Master en Actividad Física

Alex Esaú Chacón Sevilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras; Secretaría de Educación

Master en Actividad Física, Profesor de Educación Física en la Secretaría de Educación

Lázaro Yunier Dunán Mesa, Ministerio de Salud Publica Cuba

Coordinador de la Actualización en la Red SciELO Cuba (Editorial Ciencias Médicas)

Flerida Sixmenia Raudales Martínez, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, UNAH

Coordinadora Regional de VOAE en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras Campus el Paraíso

Published

2025-10-13

How to Cite

1.
Figueroa Soriano RO, Cordovés Peinado R, Lanza Reyes YY, Chacón Sevilla AE, Dunán Mesa LY, Raudales Martínez FS. Validation of a Physical Education Strategy to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders in University Administrative Staff. Educación Médica Superior [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 13 [cited 2025 Dec. 6];39. Available from: https://ems.sld.cu/index.php/ems/article/view/4880

Issue

Section

Artículos originales