Sensory gymnastic and ergomotricity: exploratory survey of home car workers in training

Auteures 

Brigitte DIDOT-RIGAUX, Karine GRENIER, Anne LIEUTAUD

Introduction

A sensory gymnastics practice (Courraud et Bertrand 2024) was proposed as part of a 2-day ergomotricity training course, to a group of homecare workers. It was the subject of an exploratory study as part of a Master’s thesis, aimed at questioning the effects of this practice and the interest of a perceptual approach of the body in the search for gestural solutions adapted to a demanding professional setting (Rigaux 2013) . At the end of the training, the results show impacts on the relationship to the body, to work and to the overall state.

Objectives

One month after training, the question addressed is about the learning and transfers achieved in professional and everyday gestures.

Method

The study was carried out on three groups of professionals from homecare associations in the Lorraine region (N=26 women). Three questionnaires (T0 before training, T1 after training, T2 one month later) were developed, combining closed questions (5-point Likert and Osgood type scales, yes/no, multiple choice) and open questions. Data analysis uses descriptive and inferential statistics on quantitative and semi-quantitative data, combined with qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions.

Results

The change noted by trainees at the end of training, in terms of increased attention to their posture during work tasks, was maintained one month after training (see table). The causes of pain (assessed by QCM) linked to inappropriate posture dropped from 40% to 23.5% at the end of training, then to 18.5% one month later. This progression highlights an interesting learning phenomenon. Finally, feelings of confidence, involvement, security and solidity continue to be felt significantly one month after training, when the exercises learned are applied to professional gestures. Over and above the transfer to professional gestures, this denotes a transfer of experience, giving them ways of being that improve their quality of life at work.

Conclusion: Sensory gymnastics appears to be a relevant tool for body perception in the prevention of physical and psychosocial risks in a demanding professional context. In particular, it has led to the introduction of new support protocols, including new warm-up procedures in the workplace.