BACKGROUND: The recent mandate for university faculty and staff to work-from-home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced employees to work with sub-optimal ergonomic workstations that may change their musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. As women report more work-related musculoskeletal discomfort (WMSD), this effect may be exacerbated in women. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe university employee at-home office workstations, and explore if at-home workstation design mediates the effect of gender on musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: University employees completed a survey that focused on the WFH environment, at home workstation design and musculoskeletal pain. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the responses. RESULTS: 61% of respondents reported an increase in musculoskeletal pain, with the neck, shoulders and lower back being reported most frequently. Women reported significantly greater musculoskeletal pain, but this relationship was significantly mediated by poor ergonomic design of the home workstation. Improper seat-height and monitor distance were statistically associated with total-body WMSD. CONCLUSIONS: WFH has worsened employee musculoskeletal health and the ergonomic gap between women and men in the workspace has persisted in the WFH environment, with seat height and monitor distance being identified as significant predictors of discomfort/pain.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Objective The objectives were to compare cylindrical and spherical coordinate representations of the maximum reach envelope (MRE) and apply these to a comparison of age and load on the MRE. Background The MRE is a useful measurement in the design of workstations and quantifying functional capability of the upper body. As a dynamic measure, there are human factors that impact the size, shape, and boundaries of the MRE. Method Three-dimensional reach measures were recorded using a computerized potentiometric system for anthropometric measures (CPSAM) on two adult groups (aged 18–25 years and 35–70 years). Reach trials were performed holding .0, .5, and 1 kg. Results Three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates were transformed into cylindrical ( r, θ , Z) and spherical ( r, θ, ϕ) coordinates. Median reach distance vectors were calculated for 54 panels within the MRE as created by incremented banding of the respective coordinate systems. Reach distance and reach area were compared between the two groups and the loaded conditions using a spherical coordinate system. Both younger adults and unloaded condition produced greater reach distances and reach areas. Conclusions Where a cylindrical coordinate system may reflect absolute reference for design, a normalized spherical coordinate system may better reflect functional range of motion and better compare individual and group differences. Age and load are both factors that impact the MRE. Application These findings present measurement considerations for use in human reach investigation and design.