Get up, exercise and stretch to avoid MSD

Encouraging staff members of the Tweed Shire Council to exercise and stretch more is just one of a number of projects that will be presented by Southern Cross University occupational therapy students at the annual Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Student Conference.

The conference, organised by fourth year students, will be held at the University’s Gold Coast campus on Monday, May 12, from 8am.

Students Rachel Coulston and Jessica Dooley researched the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) at the Tweed Shire Council, which employs more than 650 workers across diverse sectors.

“It’s been identified that MSD are significant at the council, with 51.9 per cent of all reported injuries resulting in muscular stress, and a further 22.2 per cent of injuries occurring due to repetitive movements,” Ms Coulston said.

“Our project aimed to reduce the risk of MSD through the prescription of exercises and stretches related specifically to the tasks workers were performing. Our results showed that only 30 per cent of workers in offices and the field regularly stretched or exercised, and that 20 per cent occasionally stretched or exercised. Worryingly 50 per cent did not stretch or exercise at all.

“Through our project we educated and reminded staff to stretch and exercise. We did this through the production of some brochures, a sticker with a slogan and visual images of stretches, and the notification by software in order to remind computer workers to move around and stretch.”

This project will be one of 19 student presentations during the conference. Keynote speakers include Dr Alison Nelson, from the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, and Sarah Miles, a paediatric occupational therapist.

Coordinator, Dr Karina Pont, a lecturer in the School of Health and Human Sciences, said that the student conference was a unique program that saw students partner with community organisations to work on projects specific to that organisation and then present their findings in a conference setting.

“The projects help students immediately apply the academic skills and knowledge they are learning in the real world, as well as learning valuable project management skills. It also has many benefits for the community and encourages students to help local organisations that have forged a good relationship with the University’s occupational therapy program,” she said.

Photo: Jessica Dooley, left, and Rachel Coulston.