Effects of Aerobic and Combined Exercise on Pain and Fatigue in Workers With Chronic Neck Pain

Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the acute effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and combined aerobic and cervical-upper extremity resistance exercise (CE) on the pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain perception, and fatigue in workers with high ergonomic risk and chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP).

A total of 78 workers were randomly assigned to AE, CE, or control groups. The AE and CE groups completed single 40-minute sessions, while the control group received a 30-minute educational session with additional seated rest periods before and after the session. PPT was assessed bilaterally at multiple anatomical sites using a digital pressure algometer. Neck pain, overall pain perception, and fatigue were evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS) before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after exercise.

The study focused on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and was intended to inform brief, workplace-compatible exercise strategies to reduce pain, fatigue, and work-related musculoskeletal risks in this population.

Conditions

• Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
• Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic Exercise

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise performed using a recumbent cycle ergometer in a single 40-minute session. The protocol included a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of continuous cycling, and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercise intensity was maintained at 64-76% of maximum heart rate and adjusted individually throughout the session. No resistance or strength training exercises were included.

BEHAVIORAL

Combined Exercise

Participants performed a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises in a single 40-minute session. The protocol included a 5-minute warm-up, 15 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (64-76% HRmax, Borg RPE 11-14), 15 minutes of resistance exercises targeting cervical and upper-extremity muscles, and a 5-minute cool-down. The resistance program focused on cervical motor control and scapular stabilization, including chin tuck, cervical retraction with extension, scapular retraction, vertical pulling, horizontal shoulder abduction, scapular plane abduction, and shoulder elevation. Each exercise was performed for 8-10 repetitions in two sets with 30-second rest intervals. All exercises were supervised and performed with proper postural alignment.

BEHAVIORAL

Informed Control

Participants attended a 30-minute educational session on exercise benefits, workplace ergonomics, and postural recommendations. Participants remained seated for 5 minutes before and after the session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

  collaborator OTHER

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-22

Primary Completion

2025-10-01

Completion

2025-10-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations