Citation

Nezhad VM, Razavi H, Nezhad MM. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2021.1995225

PMID

34704532

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate whether mento-physical exercises can decrease mental fatigue during shift work.‏.

METHODS: Research subjects including the control-room staff of an urban-train system were chosen randomly, for whom mental fatigue was assessed before and after rest-breaks for control and experimental groups. A new protocol was applied in the experimental group, including breathing exercises, isometric and isotonic exercises, and progressive relaxation during the inter-shift break. A designed questionnaire and the Stroop test were used to evaluate fatigue and reaction time, respectively.

RESULTS: Pre and post-test results showed that mental, visual, and physical fatigue and reaction time decreased by 14.48%, 49.22%, 26.85%, and 8.35% in the control group and 36.42%, 48.48%, 76.37%, and 20.56% in the experimental group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: At 5% α level, the Student's t test showed that mento-physical exercises effectively decreased mental and physical fatigue as well as reaction time in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Language: en

Keywords

Mental Fatigue; Mental Recovery; Mento-Physical Exercises