Targeted Exercises and Worksite Adjustments Show Promise in Alleviating Back Pain Among Florida Gardeners
A University of Florida study involving over 120 horticulture workers found that simple, self-managed interventions like exercise videos and ergonomic adjustments can reduce back pain and improve quality of life. The project, conducted in partnership with the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, aims to address high rates of musculoskeletal injury in a workforce vital to the state’s economy. Early results suggest these strategies may help retain experienced workers and reduce absenteeism.
A University of Florida study involving 127 horticulture workers across 16 companies from Palm Beach to Jacksonville has found that self-managed interventions—such as exercise videos and ergonomic adjustments—can reduce back pain and improve quality of life among Florida’s landscape workers. Conducted in partnership with the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), the four-year project began in 2021 and is now in its final data analysis phase. Researchers, led by clinical professor Kim Dunleavy, Ph.D., developed short training videos demonstrating simple stretches and exercises designed to counteract repetitive strain from tasks like lifting plants, bending, and twisting. These interventions were tailored for use at home or on-site with minimal equipment, and participants who received text reminders showed greater improvement, including reduced reliance on over-the-counter pain medication. The study addresses a critical gap in research: despite low back pain being the leading cause of disability worldwide and a major issue in physically demanding outdoor work, few studies have focused on horticulture or agriculture workers since 2000. The project’s findings are timely given that the Florida nursery and landscape industry employs over 279,000 people and contributes $41.9 billion to the state economy annually. With workforce shortages already a concern, reducing absenteeism and retaining experienced workers is a key goal. The researchers, including physical
This study could significantly influence occupational health practices in physically demanding industries, particularly in agriculture and landscaping where injury rates are high and access to healthcare is limited. By demonstrating that low-cost, self-managed strategies can improve worker well-being and productivity, the findings may encourage broader adoption across similar sectors—potentially reducing long-term disability claims and healthcare costs. The model of combining exercise therapy with ergonomic adjustments could serve as a blueprint for other industries facing similar challenges, such as construction or warehousing. A comparable earlier case is the widespread implementation of workplace ergonomics in office settings during the 1990s, which reduced musculoskeletal injuries and improved retention. However, unlike office environments, outdoor labor settings present unique barriers like variable weather, lack of infrastructure, and worker skepticism about health interventions.