Pain perception of overweight forestry workers: A retrospective study on effects of an occupational training program

Objective: Forestry work is associated with intensive musculoskeletal stress. Physical exercise reduces musculoskeletal pain, especially for people with overweight. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a training intervention on the pain perception of overweight forestry workers. Methods: The intervention group (IG), split in an overweight (BMI (body mass index) ≥ 26 kg/m²) and a normal weight (BMI < 26 kg/m²) sample, did an occupational training intervention. The control group (CG) did no specific training program. The Nordic Questionnaire was used for ascertaining the perception of musculoskeletal pain. Results: The IG with overweight referenced a lower pain perception compared to the CG in all seven body regions. The differences in shoulder (p = 0.01, τ= 0.22) and lower back (p = 0.04, τ = 0.18) were significant. No differences could be found in the two groups with a BMI < 26 kg/m². Conclusion: The results indicate that a specific training intervention has positive effects on the perception of pain for the workers with overweight.