Description: Being physically active may reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries at work, according to a new Canadian study.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver analyzed data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey. They found that the overall prevalence of repetitive strain injury (RSI) was about 10.9 percent, and that the prevalence of work-related RSI was about 4.7 percent. Upper body injuries (most commonly wrist/hand, shoulder and elbow) accounted for 63 percent of RSI in full-time workers.

Physical work demands, work-related stress, obesity, and smoking were among the risk factors associated with upper-body work-related RSI, the study said. Women and people ages 30-49 were also at higher risk. Being physically active appeared to help reduce the risk of work-related RSI.

"This finding provides evidence for a hypothesis that an active lifestyle outside of work may protect against work-related RSI, adding ano