Divya Srinivasan1, Svend Erik Mathiassen2, David M Hallman2, Afshin Samani3, Pascal Madeleine3, Eugene Lyskov2. 1. Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden. diasrn@hig.se. 2. Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden. 3. Laboratory for Ergonomics and Work-related Disorders, Physical Activity and Human Performance Group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D-3, 9220, Aalborg East, Denmark.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Most previous studies of concurrent physical and cognitive demands have addressed tasks of limited relevance to occupational work, and with dissociated physical and cognitive task components. This study investigated effects on muscle activity and heart rate variability of executing a repetitive occupational task with an added cognitive demand integral to correct task performance. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy females performed 7.5 min of standardized repetitive pipetting work in a baseline condition and a concurrent cognitive condition involving a complex instruction for correct performance. Average levels and variabilities of electromyographic activities in the upper trapezius and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles were compared between these two conditions. Heart rate and heart rate variability were also assessed to measure autonomic nervous system activation. Subjects also rated perceived fatigue in the neck-shoulder region, as well as exertion. RESULTS: Concurrent cognitive demands increased trapezius muscle activity from 8.2% of maximum voluntary exertion (MVE) in baseline to 9.0% MVE (p = 0.0005), but did not significantly affect ECR muscle activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, perceived fatigue or exertion. CONCLUSION: Trapezius muscle activity increased by about 10%, without any accompanying cardiovascular response to indicate increased sympathetic activation. We suggest this slight increase in trapezius muscle activity to be due to changed muscle activation patterns within or among shoulder muscles. The results suggest that it may be possible to introduce modest cognitive demands necessary for correct performance in repetitive precision work without any major physiological effects, at least in the short term.
PURPOSE: Most previous studies of concurrent physical and cognitive demands have addressed tasks of limited relevance to occupational work, and with dissociated physical and cognitive task components. This study investigated effects on muscle activity and heart rate variability of executing a repetitive occupational task with an added cognitive demand integral to correct task performance. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy females performed 7.5 min of standardized repetitive pipetting work in a baseline condition and a concurrent cognitive condition involving a complex instruction for correct performance. Average levels and variabilities of electromyographic activities in the upper trapezius and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles were compared between these two conditions. Heart rate and heart rate variability were also assessed to measure autonomic nervous system activation. Subjects also rated perceived fatigue in the neck-shoulder region, as well as exertion. RESULTS: Concurrent cognitive demands increased trapezius muscle activity from 8.2% of maximum voluntary exertion (MVE) in baseline to 9.0% MVE (p = 0.0005), but did not significantly affect ECR muscle activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, perceived fatigue or exertion. CONCLUSION: Trapezius muscle activity increased by about 10%, without any accompanying cardiovascular response to indicate increased sympathetic activation. We suggest this slight increase in trapezius muscle activity to be due to changed muscle activation patterns within or among shoulder muscles. The results suggest that it may be possible to introduce modest cognitive demands necessary for correct performance in repetitive precision work without any major physiological effects, at least in the short term.
Authors: C Nordander; I Balogh; S E Mathiassen; K Ohlsson; J Unge; S Skerfving; G-A Hansson Journal: J Electromyogr Kinesiol Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 2.368
Authors: Tessy Luger; Robert Seibt; Monika A Rieger; Benjamin Steinhilber Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-04-06 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Susanna Mixter; Svend Erik Mathiassen; Petra Lindfors; Kent Dimberg; Helena Jahncke; Eugene Lyskov; David M Hallman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Susanna Mixter; Svend Erik Mathiassen; Sofie Bjärntoft; Petra Lindfors; Eugene Lyskov; David M Hallman Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2021-11-09 Impact factor: 2.179