FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Healthy from the Start Resources for Shiftworkers
Looking after your functional mobility is key to preventing injury and staying fit and healthy as you age, particularly for shiftworkers in physically demanding jobs. Certain exercises like deadlifts and squats are especially good for your functional mobility, as they focus on balance, stability, and strength.
Functional mobility refers to how well your body can move around independently and safely across a range of environments. Shiftwork increases your risk of injury, especially across early morning, evening, and night shifts (34). To lower this risk, maintaining and improving your functional mobility is crucial.
Functional training, which focuses on increasing balance, stability, strength, and proper technique for bending and lifting, is particularly beneficial for shiftworkers. Exercises like deadlifts, front squats, bent-over rows, and plyometric push-ups are a great place to start (48,49).
Integrating these exercises into your routine can provide the physical foundation needed to safely manage the demands of shiftwork.