EFFECTS OF JOB-SIMULATED FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH-FLEXIBILITY TRAINING PROTOCOLS ON MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS

This study examined the effects of four flexibility and strength-flexibility training protocols on the dynamic strength, endurance time, and truncal flexibility of 24 maintenance employees engaged in manual material handling operations. The study was conducted over an 8-week period. Significant improvement in physical capacity was obtained through flexibility training either by a progressive increase in the holding time with fixed exercise repetition or a progressive increase repetition with fixed holding time. The flexibility and strength-flexibility training protocols exhibited similar effects on physical capacity. It was suggested that a follow-up flexibility protocol should be performed on a daily basis in order to maintain the gains obtained in flexibility during the intensive/short training programme.