Assessment of dental student posture in two seating conditions using RULA methodology – a pilot study

Gandavadi, Amar; Ramsay, Jill; Burke, F. J. T.

doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1047

Cited by 61 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Static work procedures entailing holding something without any support causes additional muscular strain as muscle endurance is required for the performance of the respective tasks in isometric positions. Moreover, the lack of motion impedes the blood flow necessary for tissue recovery [18]. The longer or more frequently static strains occur, the greater the risk of injury due to overuse of muscles, joints and other tissues [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constrained posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of dentists

Ohlendorf

Erbe

Nowak

et al. 2017

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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BackgroundHow a dentist works, such as the patterns of movements performed daily, is also largely affected by the workstation Dental tasks are often executed in awkward body positions, thereby causing a very high degree of strain on the corresponding muscles. The objective of this study is to detect those dental tasks, during which awkward postures occur most frequently. The isolated analysis of static postures will examine the duration for which these postures are maintained during the corresponding dental, respectively non-dental, activities.Methods: 21 (11f/10 m) dentists (age: 40.1 ± 10.4 years) participated in this study. An average dental workday was collected for every subject. To collect kinematic data of all activities, the CUELA system was used. Parallel to the kinematic examination, a detailed computer-based task analysis was conducted. Afterwards, both data sets were synchronized based on the chronological order of the postures assumed in the trunk and the head region. All tasks performed were assigned to the categories “treatment” (I), “office” (II) and “other activities” (III). The angle values of each body region (evaluation parameter) were examined and assessed corresponding to ergonomic standards. Moreover, this study placed a particular focus on static positions, which are held statically for 4 s and longer.ResultsFor “treatment” (I), the entire head and trunk area is anteriorly tilted while the back is twisted to the right, in (II) and (III) the back is anteriorly tilted and twisted to the right (non-neutral position). Static positions in (I) last for 4–10s, static postures (approx. 60%) can be observed while in (II) and (III) in the back area static positions for more than 30 s are most common. Moreover, in (II) the back is twisted to the right for more than 60 s in 26.8%.ConclusionAwkward positions are a major part of a dentists’ work. This mainly pertains to static positions of the trunk and head in contrast to “office work.” These insights facilitate the quantitative description of the dentist profession with regard to the related physical load along with the health hazards to the musculoskeletal system. Moreover, the results allow for a selective extraction of the most unfavorable static body positions that dentists assume for each of the activities performed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constrained posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of dentists

Ohlendorf

Erbe

Nowak

et al. 2017

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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“…Although upper body posture has been investigated in relation to subjects performing dental tasks [13] there is limited research in an office environment; the only research appearing to be that by Gadge and Innes [14] using four subjects. Most Standard Office chairs (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot investigation into the effects of different office chairs on spinal angles

et al. 2012

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Purpose To investigate the effects of four office chairs on the postural angles of the lumbopelvic and cervical regions. Research question Which chair(s) produce an ''ideal'' spinal posture? Methods An experimental same subject design was used involving healthy subjects (n = 14) who conducted a typing task whilst sitting on four different office chairs; two ''dynamic'' chairs (Vari-Kneeler and Swopper), and two static chairs (Saddle and Standard Office with back removed). Data collection was via digital photogrammetry, measuring pelvic and lumbar angles, neck angle and head tilt which were then analysed within MatLab. A repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons was conducted. Results Statistically significant differences were identified for posterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis between the Vari-Kneeler and Swopper chairs (p = 0.006, p = 0.001) and the Vari-Kneeler and Standard Office chairs (p = 0.000, 0.000); and also for neck angle and head tilt between the Vari-Kneeler and Swopper chairs (p = 0.000, p = 0.000), the Vari-Kneeler and Saddle chairs (p = 0.002, p = 0.001), the Standard Office and Swopper chairs (p = 0.000, p = 0.000), and the Standard Office and Saddle chairs (p = 0.005, p = 0.001). This study confirms a within region association between posterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis, and between neck angle and head tilt. It was noted that an ideal lumbopelvic position does not always result in a corresponding ideal cervical position resulting in a spinal alignment mismatch. Conclusion In this study, the most appropriate posture for the lumbopelvic region was produced by the Saddle chair and for the cervical region by both the Saddle and Swopper chairs. No chair consistently produced an ideal posture across all regions, although the Saddle chair created the best posture of those chairs studied. Chair selection should be based on individual need.

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“…7 However, some commentators on the subject, notably Ellis Paul, have expressed concerns with these saddle chairs. The saddle chair causes the operator to sit slightly higher up and their thighs to splay outwards.…”

Section: Operating Stoolmentioning

confidence: 99%