Majid Motamedzade1, Davood Afshari2, Alireza Soltanian3. 1. Ergonomics Department, Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. 2. Department of Occupational Health, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 3. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Institute of Behavioral Disorder and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical exposure to the trapezius muscle activity in female weavers for a prolonged period in the workstation A (suggested by previous studies) and workstation B (proposed by the present study). METHODS: Electromyography data were collected from nine females during four hours for each ergonomically designed workstation at the Ergonomics Laboratory, Hamadan, Iran. The design criteria for ergonomically designed workstations were: 1) weaving height (20 and 3 cm above elbow height for workstations A and B, respectively), and 2) seat type (10° and 0° forwardsloping seat for workstations A and B, respectively). RESULTS: The amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) analysis showed that the left and right upper trapezius muscle activity was almost similar at each workstation. Trapezius muscle activity in the workstation A was signifi-cantly greater than workstations B (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In general, use of workstation B leads to significantly reduced muscle activity levels in the upper trapezius as compared to workstation A in weavers. Despite the positive impact of workstation B in reducing trapezius muscle activity, it seems that constrained postures of the upper arm during weaving may be associated with musculoskeletal symptoms.
BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical exposure to the trapezius muscle activity in female weavers for a prolonged period in the workstation A (suggested by previous studies) and workstation B (proposed by the present study). METHODS: Electromyography data were collected from nine females during four hours for each ergonomically designed workstation at the Ergonomics Laboratory, Hamadan, Iran. The design criteria for ergonomically designed workstations were: 1) weaving height (20 and 3 cm above elbow height for workstations A and B, respectively), and 2) seat type (10° and 0° forwardsloping seat for workstations A and B, respectively). RESULTS: The amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) analysis showed that the left and right upper trapezius muscle activity was almost similar at each workstation. Trapezius muscle activity in the workstation A was signifi-cantly greater than workstations B (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In general, use of workstation B leads to significantly reduced muscle activity levels in the upper trapezius as compared to workstation A in weavers. Despite the positive impact of workstation B in reducing trapezius muscle activity, it seems that constrained postures of the upper arm during weaving may be associated with musculoskeletal symptoms.
Authors: G A Hansson; C Nordander; P Asterland; K Ohlsson; U Strömberg; S Skerfving; D Rempel Journal: J Electromyogr Kinesiol Date: 2000-04 Impact factor: 2.368
Authors: C Jensen; V Borg; L Finsen; K Hansen; B Juul-Kristensen; H Christensen Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 1998-10 Impact factor: 5.024