A new academic study conducted on workers in tea production in Rize revealed that regular exercise programs supported by ergonomics training significantly reduced musculoskeletal pain and meaningfully increased sleep quality and daily functionality.
The study, conducted under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Şevgin, a faculty member in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, by physiotherapist İlayda Gür, examined the effects of a holistic intervention applied to tea workers for 12 weeks. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Şevgin emphasized that the findings demonstrate the importance of holistic approaches to the health of tea workers, stating, “Tea farming is an area that requires extremely intense physical effort. Providing exercise and correct working habits together both protects the health of the worker and increases work efficiency.”
In a thesis study conducted in Rize by physiotherapist İlayda Gür, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Şevgin, a faculty member in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, the effects of a holistic intervention applied to tea workers for 12 weeks were examined.
Physical Load is Excessive, Pains Become Inevitable
Within the scope of the research, 60 workers actively engaged in tea farming in Rize were evaluated. The study highlighted that tea picking requires prolonged standing, working bent over, and repetitive arm-hand movements. It was determined that workers carrying the tea they collected on their shoulders and backs led to intense pain, especially in the neck, lower back, back, and shoulder regions.
It was found that the vast majority of participants complained of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck and lower back regions, before starting work.
Striking Results in the Exercise-Added Group
In the research, all workers received ergonomics training, while one group additionally underwent an exercise program consisting of 40–50 minute sessions three days a week. The program included stretching, muscle strengthening, balance, and posture exercises.
The results obtained at the end of 12 weeks were striking. In the group that performed exercises alongside ergonomics training, it was determined that pain levels in all body regions significantly decreased, sleep quality markedly improved, and notable development was achieved in hand, arm, and shoulder functions.
In the group that only received ergonomics training, a limited improvement in shoulder and lower back pain was observed.
Holistic Approach Boosts Both Worker Health and Productivity
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Şevgin, the consultant of the study, emphasized how important holistic approaches are to the health of tea workers, making the following assessment:
“Tea farming is an area that requires extremely intense physical effort. Only ergonomic adjustments or only exercise are not sufficient. Providing exercise and correct working habits together both protects the health of the worker and increases work efficiency.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevgin also stated that the studies conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Üsküdar Üniversitesi aim to produce practical, applicable, and effective solutions to societal problems, strengthening the aspect of science that connects with life.
Preventive Programs Should Be Institutionalized
Physiotherapist İlayda Gür, who conducted the research, pointed out that despite the widespread prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among tea workers, solution-oriented applications in this field are limited, stating, “Tea workers almost consider working with pain to be normal. However, regular ergonomics training, preventive exercise programs, and physiotherapist support can be provided at an institutional level. This study clearly demonstrates how effective such interventions can be.”