Evaluation of the loading of neck and shoulder musculature in overhead pushing and pulling exertions

Details

• Personal Author:
  Aghazadeh F ; Ikuma LH ; Nimbarte AD ; Sun Y
• Description:
  Despite substantial epidemiological evidence relating overhead exertions with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) of the neck, effects of such exertions on the loading of neck or cervical spine musculature are not well understood. In this study, the effects of overhead pushing and pulling exertions on the loading of the cervical spine were evaluated using electromyography (EMG) and subjective discomfort ratings. Additionally, the role of gender as well as individual strength on the loading of neck musculature during such exertions was evaluated. Twenty-four healthy individuals (12 men and 12 women) participated in this study. Each participant performed overhead pushing and pulling exertions, exerting 25%, 50%, and 75% of their respective maximum strengths. Overhead pushing exertions were found to be significantly more strenuous to the neck musculature than were the pulling exertions. Gender had no significant effect on the activities of the neck muscles. Participants with high strength, however, were able to exert more force at comparatively low muscle activation levels. Subjective discomfort ratings were strongly correlated with the EMG data. At various workplaces, avoiding overhead exertions is rather impossible due to material, interface, and site constraints. Based on the results of this study, however, during such exertions, an interchange between directions of force application could prevent sustained loading of the neck muscles, fatigue, and consequently the probability of neck WMSD incidents. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Epidemiology Men Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Women Workplace
• Keywords:
  Electromyography Humans MSD Muscle Function Muscles Muscle Stress Muscle Tension Musculoskeletal Disorders Musculoskeletal System Musculoskeletal System Disorders Neck Injuries Work Capability Work Environment Workers

  More +
• ISSN:
  1090-8471
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Louisiana ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  317-327
• Volume:
  22
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049218
• Citation:
  Hum Factors Ergon Manuf Serv Ind 2012 Jul-Aug; 22(4):317-327
• Contact Point Address:
  Ashish D. Nimbarte, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, PO Box 6070, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6107
• Email:
  Ashish.Nimbarte@mail.wvu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  West Virginia University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f986e58ae17ec91854bd130c38c2cc7515c62e5f260f3bc2a0c9d9f072d3062b41ef74fb1b03abd6e26d67dbf415f39aa48ea3bf6e7cb8f407cbabbe1654de8e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203747/cdc_203747_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 306.16 KB ]