Joanne L Parsons1, Laura MacDonald2, Marielle Cayer3, Mikaela Hoeppner3, Ashley Titterton3, Justin Willsie3, Sandra C Webber4. 1. Assistant professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 2. Associate professor, School of Dental Hygiene, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 3. Student (when the study was conducted), Department of Physical Therapy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 4. Associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Static positioning and awkward postures put dental hygienists at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders often appear during professional training programs. Ergonomics education has been shown to reduce the incidence of injuries, but fitness training to improve postural awareness and endurance is not typically included in dental hygiene curricula. This study assessed the effects of a 12-week functional fitness training program on ergonomic and postural knowledge, outcome expectations and self-efficacy related to exercise, and core stability in final-year dental hygiene students. Methods: Participants (n = 24) completed surveys and core stability tests and demonstrated postural movements before and after completing a mandatory weekly training program focusing on dynamic core stabilization, aerobic exercise, and postural awareness. Results: Participants improved static plank hold time and left leg forward lunge scores, with no significant changes in right lunge or stability push-up tests. Accuracy in demonstrating postural movements in response to verbal cues improved for 2 of 6 movements. Knowledge about injury risk factors and body mechanics was relatively high at pre-test and did not change post-test. Outcome expectations and self-efficacy were not significantly different from pre- to post-test. Conclusions: Functional fitness training resulted in increased core endurance and improved execution of some movement patterns associated with good body mechanics. Our study provides evidence for the inclusion of this type of conditioning program in the dental hygiene curriculum. Further research, including more sensitive tests of physical function as well as the transfer of knowledge and safe postures into clinically relevant situations, is warranted.
Background: Static positioning and awkward postures put dental hygienists at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders often appear during professional training programs. Ergonomics education has been shown to reduce the incidence of injuries, but fitness training to improve postural awareness and endurance is not typically included in dental hygiene curricula. This study assessed the effects of a 12-week functional fitness training program on ergonomic and postural knowledge, outcome expectations and self-efficacy related to exercise, and core stability in final-year dental hygiene students. Methods: Participants (n = 24) completed surveys and core stability tests and demonstrated postural movements before and after completing a mandatory weekly training program focusing on dynamic core stabilization, aerobic exercise, and postural awareness. Results: Participants improved static plank hold time and left leg forward lunge scores, with no significant changes in right lunge or stability push-up tests. Accuracy in demonstrating postural movements in response to verbal cues improved for 2 of 6 movements. Knowledge about injury risk factors and body mechanics was relatively high at pre-test and did not change post-test. Outcome expectations and self-efficacy were not significantly different from pre- to post-test. Conclusions: Functional fitness training resulted in increased core endurance and improved execution of some movement patterns associated with good body mechanics. Our study provides evidence for the inclusion of this type of conditioning program in the dental hygiene curriculum. Further research, including more sensitive tests of physical function as well as the transfer of knowledge and safe postures into clinically relevant situations, is warranted.
Authors: Tim Morse; Heather Bruneau; Claudia Michalak-Turcotte; Martha Sanders; Nicholas Warren; Jeff Dussetschleger; Ulysses Diva; Marc Croteau; Martin Cherniack Journal: J Dent Hyg Date: 2007-01-01
Authors: Tim F Morse; Claudia Michalak-Turcotte; Martha Atwood-Sanders; Nicholas Warren; Donald R Peterson; Heather Bruneau; Martin Cherniack Journal: J Dent Hyg Date: 2003