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Should you be doing more beyond pre-employment medicals to prevent injuries to new employees?
Jan 25, 2021
Particularly in jobs that are manual task intensive, completing a pre-employment medical is very much standard practice nowadays. These medicals can vary in length and quality. But even high-quality pre-employment medicals may have their pitfalls and still leave new workers at risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Whilst a candidate may be able to ‘pass’ a pre-employment functional assessment, this assessment is usually always completed in under 60 minutes. Particularly with workers in the mining industry, these candidates may then have to go away and work for 14 days straight in a physical job. It is unlikely that this assessment is going to be able to replicate this volume of work in a meaningful way.
So, what does this mean?
It means that your new employees may still be at greater risk of a workplace injury as they are not fully conditioned for work. This can particularly be in groups such as younger workers or apprentices as they are still maturing or haven’t previously worked in physical jobs. Providing further conditioning may assist in reducing their risk of injuries.
A review conducted by Clemes et. al. (2009) found that tailored strength and flexibility training was effective in reducing manual handling related injuries. As an extension of this, providing further job specific conditioning, improving strength and flexibility may assist in reducing the risk of injuries in newer employees.
Absolute Balance is in the process of running a pilot program for new employees that work in physical job roles. The programme aims to condition these workers for their new working environment, with the aim of ultimately reducing their risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
For more information on this program and how it is being implemented, contact Aaron from Absolute Balance aaron@absolutebalance.com.au
References:
Clemes, S. A., Haslam, C. O., & Haslam, R. A. (2009). What constitutes effective manual handling training? A systematic review. Occupational Medicine, 2010 (60), 101-107.
There are many factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep – whether it is from work stress, or family responsibilities to illnesses. Improving sleep when you’re in pain can also be challenging, and it is no surprise that quality sleep is sometimes elusive. However, there are several strategies that can help manage pain and promote better sleep quality: Relaxation Techniques: Deep Breathing: Practise deep breathing exercises to help relax your body and mind. Mindfulness and Meditation: Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to reduce stress and improve overall sleep. Sleep Environment: Comfortable Mattress and Pillows: Ensure your mattress and pillows provide adequate support. Temperature Control: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Pain Management: Medications: Consult your family GP about management strategies or pain relief medications that are suitable for nighttime use. Heat and Cold Therapy: Apply heat and cold packs to the affected area before bed. Sleep Hygiene: Consistent Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday where possible. Wind-Down Routine: Develop a relaxing pre-sleep routine, such as reading, taking a warm shower, or practising gentle yoga. Limit Screen Time: Avoid screens at least an hour before bed to allow the production of melatonin, keeping the brain calm and making it easier to fall asleep. Lifestyle Adjustments: Physical Activity: Engage in regular physical activity. The more active you are, the more your body pushes you to sleep at night. Diet: Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed. Hydration: Stay hydrated, but limit fluids in the evening to reduce nighttime awakenings. By integrating these strategies, you can create a more conducive environment for sleep and manage pain more effectively. Sleep is essential for optimal health and exercise is one of the best ways to boost your sleep quality. There is no right or wrong time to work out, whether you do it in the morning, noon or evening, aim at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day in a way that makes you feel good. Not sure how to start? Consult a healthcare professional or your nearest exercise physiologist about starting an exercise programme that is tailored to your goals. Haseef Salim Workers Compensation Specialist (AEP, ESSAM) Exercise Rehabilitation Services – WA
When we watch Olympic athletes achieve incredible feats, it’s easy to focus solely on the individual. After all, it’s the athlete who stands atop the podium, receiving the medal. However, behind every Olympic champion is a support team—coaches, medical practitioners, allied health professionals, mental health experts, and family members—whose contributions are crucial to the athlete’s success. The existence and importance of these teams remind us of the value of support networks in every aspect of life, including the process of returning to work and life after an injury. The Role of Support Teams in Olympic Success Olympic athletes are extraordinary, but they do not reach the pinnacle of their sports alone. A coach tailors training programs and strategies, guiding the athlete through physical and technical development. Health professionals, including Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists and Sports Doctors, ensure the athlete’s body can withstand the rigors of elite competition. Nutritionists design meal plans that fuel peak performance, while sports psychologists help athletes maintain mental resilience under immense pressure. Family members, friends as well as the aforementioned health professionals provide emotional support. This multifaceted support system ensures that athletes can focus on their performance while knowing they have experts taking care of everything else. The synergy of these different roles creates an environment where athletes can thrive, recover from setbacks, and ultimately succeed. Parallels to Everyday Life: Returning to Work After Injury The concept of a support team isn’t just for elite athletes; it’s equally important in everyday life, especially when someone is recovering from an injury and preparing to return to life and work. An injured person, much like an athlete, faces physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Having a comprehensive support system can make a significant difference in their recovery and integration to their usual life. In the context of returning to work, the support team will include healthcare professionals, rehabilitation experts (Exercise Physiologists), workplace rehabilitation services, friends and family members. Each plays a vital role: 1. **Healthcare Professionals**: Doctors and Specialists assess the injury and create a tailored recovery plan. They monitor progress, making adjustments as needed, and provide the necessary medical treatments to aid recovery. 2. **Rehabilitation Experts**: These professionals, such as Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists, work with the injured worker to design tailored exercise programs to reduced symptoms, restore physical mobility, and function for life and work. 3. **Workplace Rehabilitation Providers**: Employers and independent organisations play a crucial role by ensuring the worker feels supported during their transition back to work. This could involve modifying job responsibilities, offering flexible hours, or implementing a gradual return-to-work plan. Open communication between the worker and workplace rehabilitation providers is essential to ensure that the worker’s needs are met. 4. **Friends and Family**: Emotional and psychological support from loved ones can’t be underestimated. They provide encouragement, help maintain a positive outlook, and offer practical assistance in day-to-day life. The Importance of a Holistic Approach Both Olympic athletes and injured workers benefit from a holistic approach to support. Just as an athlete’s success is not solely about physical prowess, an injured worker’s recovery is not just about physical healing. Mental and emotional well-being are equally important, and a strong support team can address all these areas. In both cases, the presence of a support network helps the individual stay focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of challenges. Whether striving for Olympic gold or returning to work after an injury, having a dedicated team can make all the difference. By surrounding ourselves with the right support, we can all achieve our personal best, regardless of the obstacles we face. Hadyn Sleeman Regional Manager (B.Sc (Physio), Dip. L & M)
THE GROWING EVIDENCE AROUND ‘LENGTHENED PARTIALS’ AND THE BENEFITS THEY CAN PROVIDE TO GYM-GOERS As the field of sport science advances, there are numerous amounts of research studies being published daily. Over the past year, a new training concept has gained some traction in the fitness world, and it’s referred to as ‘lengthened partials. Whether you’re an athlete, allied health professional or even just a general gym-goer, learning about this type of training can provide your body with a different muscle building stimulus and also give you a different approach to your training. Lengthened partials stem from using partial range of motion (ROM) during an exercise. Partial ROM can be done at short muscle lengths, for example on a bicep curl, working from the top of the curl, down to 90 degrees and back up. However, partial range of motion can also be done at long muscle lengths, for example on the same bicep curl, working from the bottom of the curl, up to 90 degrees and back down – this is essentially what ‘lengthened partials’ are. Initial research on this topic came from an article in 2021 which measured participants muscle hypertrophy (increase in muscle mass) on the leg extension when doing either full ROM or partial ROM on the exercise. The study concluded that participants who did partial ROM during the exercise had higher levels of muscle hypertrophy than participants who did full ROM. Another study in 2023, saw an increase in calf muscle hypertrophy when performing ‘lengthened partials’ instead of full ROM on a calf raise exercise. How is this possible? While it’s hard to exactly pinpoint what is causing these adaptations, past studies have shown that muscle strength and mass increases when tension is applied directly to the muscle. Therefore, experts believe, when training at longer muscle lengths (and performing lengthened partials), it provides the muscle with the most amount of tension possible (during the stretched position) which can therefore translate to greater muscle hypertrophy. What does this mean for you? While lengthened partials have shown positive results thus far, it shouldn’t be seen as a complete replacement for full ROM training. Having complete muscle contraction during your exercises provides its own benefits but lengthened partials can be included as a different sort of stimulus. Next time you're in the gym, have a go with doing your set at full range of motion and then as you started to fatigue, switching to partial range of motion at the lengthened position to finish the exercise. What if I’m injured? In the field of exercise rehabilitation, lengthened partials become even more important. When someone is injured, they may experience more pain and discomfort during the peak contraction of an exercise. Therefore, by implementing lengthened partials into your rehabilitation program, you can still achieve great muscle stimulus and hypertrophy while also limiting some of the range of motion that could be causing exacerbations in pain levels. While lengthened partials still require more research, they are showing positive signs for muscle-building enthusiasts. Next time, you find yourself injured or just getting bored of your usual gym program – try out lengthened partials and see how you find it. As always, if injured, ensure you consult with a qualified health professional before attempting the above training method. Nick Del Borrello Workers Compensation Specialist (AEP, ESSAM) Exercise Rehabilitation Services ‑ WA
