Investigation of the effect of ergonomics education for the musculoskeletal system and quality of life in vocational high school students

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ergonomics education on the musculoskeletal system and quality of life in vocational high school students. The study included 91 individuals from Gerede Nimet Meto Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. The individuals were divided into two groups according to their volunteers as ergonomics training group (n = 45) and control group (n = 46). A total of 6 class hours of ergonomics training was given to the training group and a reminder education poster were given to each individuals. No training and posters were given to the control group. Groups were evaluated before and 6 weeks after the training. The musculoskeletal system disorders of the individuals were evaluated with the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Scale, their quality of life by the Quality of Life Scale for Children (PedsQL) and physical activity levels with International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF). After subsequent comparison of different groups, it was found that physical activity of ergonomics training group level increased (p<0.05), musculoskeletal system disorders and pains relieved (p<0.05). In addition, it was seen that there was a strong increase in sub-parameters of quality of life compared to control group in physical health. This study showed that applied ergonomics education increased the physical activity level of high school students, and relieved the musculoskeletal system disorders and the pains accordingly. It can be assumed that ergonomics education should be taught regularly at every education level in order to improve the life quality and reduce the pathologies that may occur in aging.