• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Using wearable passive back-support exoskeletons in workplace has attracted attention as devices that support the posture of workers, enhance their physical capabilities, and reduce physical risk factors. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton on the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks at various heights. Methods: Twenty healthy adult males were selected as subjects. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the activity of the erector spinae muscles while performing lifting tasks at three distinct heights (30, 40, and 50 cm), with and without the application of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton. EMG data were gathered before and after the application of the orthosis. Results: The use of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton resulted in a significant decrease in muscle activity when lifting a 10 kg object from heights of 30 and 40 cm (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in muscle activity when lifting from a height of 50 cm compared with that at lower heights (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton led to a decrease in the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks, irrespective of the object's height. Our results suggest that the orthosis we tested may help decrease risk of lower back injuries during lifting.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.9-25
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• 1983

The purpose of this study was to film up computerized analyses for both kinematic posture(film analysis) and muscle dynamics (EMG) during a weight-lifting motion. (Snatch, Clean and Jerk) Using a motor drive camera (3.5 frames/sec) and a Location Analyzer, motion tracks of 13 landmarks, which were attached to the major joints, during the motion were converted into digital values. At the same time, EMG amplitudes from 11 major muscle groups were recorded. Recorded data were processed via analog/hybrid computer (ADAC 480) and digital computer (PDP 11/44). Landmark locations and EMG amplitude were integrated by a computerized routine. Computer output included graphic reproductions on sepuential dislocations of body segments, center of gravity of body segments and the associated changes on EMG amplitude such as % EMG's of major muscle group during a weight lifting motion. The results strongly suggest that the computerized motion-EMG integration can provide a further working knowledge in selection and in training of workers and athletes. Suggestions for a further study include additional device for velocity measurement, expansion of the link model for biomechanical analysis and other implementations necessary for athletic application.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2009

It is well-known that lifting capacity of a worker is influenced by body posture during the task. When a task analyst make use of RULA and REBA Trunk and upper arm angles are recorded in a separate item. It means that the interaction between the angles of two body segments may be ignored in a final score. The NLE(NIOSH Lifting Equation) has been used to supplement this problem. However, there is no study to validate the result of RWL (Recommended Workload Limit) under the existence of interactions between trunk and upper arm angles. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of the interaction between trunk and upper arm angles. Three responses, including NMVC(normalized maximum voluntary contraction), RWL(Recommended Weight Limit) and subjective judgment in psychophysical method (Borg's scale), were recorded according to the combinations of three trunk angles and nine upper arm angles. The results showed that lifting capacity is highly influenced by interaction of two body segments(trunk and upper arm). It means that the task workload has to be analyzed along with the interaction of trunk angles and upper arm angles when the task analyst assesses potential risk factors on the postures. This study may be able to be a fundamental study to develop an assessment method for lifting task analyses according to body postures.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg lift difference on serratus and upper trapezius when exercising in a scapula in a prone position, a typical waist stabilization exercise for subjects with a winged scapula. Method: Twenty normal adults and 20 subjects with winged scapula participated in the experiment. The surface EMG recordings were obtained from external oblique muscle and internal oblique muscle during scapula protraction exercise. The presence or absence of winging of the shoulder bone was measured using an electronic digital caliper for the distance the medial border of the scapula is lifted to the rear. In prostrate pier movement posture in both groups, both legs supporting, dominant leg lifting, and non-dominant leg lifting including the scapula protraction were conducted respectively. Results: In the results of comparison between the two groups, the dominant external oblique muscle and the non-dominant internal oblique muscle tended to increase according to the difference of the leg lifting of normal people. In the winged scapula group, internal oblique muscle showed increased muscle activity more than external oblique muscle. Conclusion: It was most effective to exercise with lifting the same position leg for strengthening the same external oblique muscle, and the opposite internal oblique muscle. Also, it is effective to exercise in prone pier movement posture for trunk stability. In addition, internal oblique muscle shows increased muscle activity in subjects with winged scapula. Therefore, appropriate adjustment of external oblique muscle and internal oblique muscle may have a positive effect on scapula dysfunction for trunk stability.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.313-319
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• 1996

Human posture prediction and motion simulaiton methods try to solve inverse kinematic problems based on the optimization concept. It is of great concern to develop an optimization method which soloves complicated optimization models in an efficient way in order for the models to be biomechanically sound. In this study, a new optimization method for posture prediction, which is named the Complex Method, is presented. The Complex Method demonstrates more flexibility in a way that it can deal with various forms of objective functions with constraints. This is because the method is a function-value-based approach. A two-eimensional whole-body lifting task was selected as an example of posture prediction, and a comparison study with te incrementation method was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of the Complex Method.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 1998

In order to investigate and compare the health risk factors of nurses in the operating room(OR nurse) and ward (WARD nurse), the questionnaire survey for subjective symptoms was carried out on 553 nurses(132 OR nurses and 421 WARD nurses) who were employed at seven hospital. The self-administered questionnaries were composed of low back pain, subjective fatigue symptoms, musculo-skeletal symptoms, psychological stress and reproductive function. The results were as follows : 1. In the type of working posture and working environment, there were significant difference between two groups for working posture, waist form, height of working table, satisfaction of chair, lifting & carring. 2. Job satisfaction, duration of work, height of working table, satisfaction of chair, lifting & carring were significantly associated the low back pain. 3. In the complaints of subjective fatigue symptoms, the total mean score was higher in OR nurse than WARD nurse, but there was not significant. The items that the mean score of OR nurse was significantly higher than WARD nurse were 'head feels muddled', 'apt to forget', 'feel choky'. 4. In the complaints of musculo-skeletal syrrptoms, the total mean score was higher in OR nurse than WARD nurse, but there was not significant. The item that the mean score of OR nurse was significantly higher WARD nurse was 'wrist discomfort or pain'. 5. The comparison of spontatenous abortion in married nurses who had the experience of pregnancy were significantly associated the stress risk group. 6. In all of OR and Ward nurses, the job satisfaction is associated with subjective fatigue symptoms, musculo-skeletal symptoms, and stress. In conclusion, it suggested that working posture, working environment, stress, and job satisfaction were health risk factors of nurses working in the operating room. Further prospective intervention studies should be conducted to educate right working posture, improve of working environment, decrease of stress, and increase of job satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure changes in spine inclination and thoracolumbar structure and morphology according to upper-extremity movements with and without resistance in order to evaluate the spine stability in workers. METHODS: Forty-eight middle-aged male workers (mean age, 40.48 ± 6.27 years) participated in this study. Using the spine analysis system, changes in the inclination of the spine and structure as well as shape of the thoracolumbar spine were measured. For posture measurement, the postures of standing, lifting the right and left arms (shoulder joint 90° flexion), and lifting with both arms were measured in random order. In addition, variables were measured using a resistance of 3 kg for each posture. The statistical significance level was set at α = .05 for all variables. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the front and back inclinations of the spine, kyphotic curve of the thoracic spine, lordotic curve of the lumbar spine, rotation changes in the thoracolumbar spine, and rotation changes in the T4 vertebra (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the left and right tilts of the spine. In the post-hoc analysis, rotation changes in the T4 vertebra showed a significant difference in posture when resistance was applied to the left and right sides CONCLUSION: Causes of musculoskeletal diseases include excessive thoracic spine rotation, torsion, and hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment in order to ensure a healthy posture and prevent musculoskeletal diseases that can reduce the ability to carry various and/or excessive loads.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 1986

This study is concerned on computerized analysis of COG, torques and EMG amplitudes in weight-lifting motion. The results show that; (1) torques on major joints show a rather consistent relationship with respect to the sequence of four distinct motions in weight-lifting, (2) analysis of EMG amplitudes is a sensitive measure of both athlete's skill and his potential capability, and (3) range of COG variations can be used as indicator of motion stability, existence of undesirable posture, and target muscle for intensive training. A computerized routine, which includes analyses on COG, EMG and torque, is a scientific tool for coaching athletes. In addition, an Expert System which includes CAD routine was developed in order to promote better understanding for athletes and coaches.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2018

Background: Sitting posture influences movements of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints and changes the shoulder muscle activities. The development and maintenance of correct sitting posture is important for the fundamental treatment of shoulder pain during rehabilitation. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the sitting postures and the shoulder movements on shoulder muscle activities for both male and female. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects without shoulder-related diseases participated in this experiment. The subjects had randomly adopted three different sitting postures (upright posture, preferred posture, maximum slouched posture) and shoulder flexion angles in scapular plane ($30^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$). Surface electrodes were collected from upper trapezius (UT), anterior deltoid (AD), and posterior deltoid (PD) and the active shoulder range of motion was measured in each sitting posture and shoulder flexion angle. Results: The active range of motions of the shoulder external rotation and the flexion in the scapular plane decreased from the upright posture to the maximum slouched posture (p<.05, mixed-effect linear regression with random intercept, Tukey post-hoc analysis). All muscles showed the highest EMG activities at $120^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion with the maximum slouched posture and did not show the gender differences. Conclusion: Increased shoulder muscle activities may become the potential risk factor for the shoulder impairment and pain if people continuously maintain the maximum slouched posture. Therefore, an upright position is necessary during shoulder exercises, as well as in activities of daily living, including motions involving lifting the arms.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.615-616
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• 2009