Comparison of Upper Limb Muscle Activity Among Workers in Large-Herd U.S. and Small-Herd Italian Dairies

Details

• Personal Author:
  Brents CA ; Colosio C ; Masci F ; Mixco A ; Murgia L ; Rosecrance J
• Description:
  Objectives: Commercial cow milking tasks, regardless of dairy size, have been documented in many regions of the world as strenuous work requiring high muscular effort, awkward positions, and task repetition. Large-herd dairies are common in the U.S., while Europe historically has mostly small-herd dairies. The objective of this study was to compare the upper limb muscle activity during milking tasks between workers at large-herd U.S. dairies and small-herd Italian dairies. This is the first international study directly comparing upper limb muscle activity among dairy workers from different countries using identical methods. Methods: Data were collected at 6 large-herd dairies in the U.S. region of Colorado and at 21 small-herd Italian dairies in the Lombardy region. Surface electromyography (sEMG) from the trapezius, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, wrist flexors, and wrist extensors muscles was recorded from all participating workers (N = 65). Electromyography data were normalized to functional maximum voluntary contractions. Anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Results: Upper limb muscle activity was generally greater among workers in the large-herd U.S. dairies compared with small-herd Italian dairies. The amount of muscular rest as a percent of the work time was significantly greater among large-herd U.S. dairy workers. Conclusion: The differences revealed in sEMG and percent muscular rest among workers from the U.S. and Italy are likely due in part to differences in work processes adopted by fast-paced industrialized large-herd dairies compared with the slower, but sustained work processes performed at small-herd dairies. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Dairy Products Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Animal Husbandry Workers Arm Injuries Author Keywords: Milking Cattle Dairy Products Dairy Work Electromyography Ergonomic MSD Muscle Function Musculoskeletal Disorders Repetitive Work Surface Electromyography Upper Extremities

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• ISSN:
  2296-2565
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20052033
• Citation:
  Front Public Health 2016 Jun; 4:141
• Contact Point Address:
  John Rosecrance, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Fort Collins, CO, USA
• Email:
  john.rosecrance@colostate.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado State University - Ft. Collins
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20030915
• Source Full Name:
  Frontiers in Public Health
• End Date:
  20270914
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e58343974548e6777abff5ffc7bb94573969e98beef9484d4a12f73e1e0ee856ae83742c61232a970c4a3e6e3b19a2314231ab6c165fd044aa4ce639e90e182e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211646/cdc_211646_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.26 MB ]