Quantitative biomechanical workplace exposure measures: Distribution centers

Marras, William S.; Lavender, Steven A.; Ferguson, Sue A.; Splittstoesser, Riley E.; Yang, Gang

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2010.03.006

Cited by 43 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In general, this study confirms the levels of spine motion associated with risk in this previous study. 18 Thus, this study reinforces our previous findings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Descriptive characteristics of the variables are reported elsewhere. 18 This analysis focuses on the association between physical exposure characteristics and the decreases in low back kinematic function.…”

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Descriptive statistics associated with the key position, load, and timing categories of these variables over all exposures are published elsewhere. 18 Descriptive statistics describing the exposures in the high-and low-risk jobs are reported in Table 4.…”

Section: Physical Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantitative Dynamic Measures of Physical Exposure Predict Low Back Functional Impairment

Marras

Lavender

Ferguson

et al. 2010

Spine

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Study Design. Prospective field study of work exposure and changes in back function.Objective. Quantify dynamic physical exposures in the workplace and their association with decreases in kinematic back function (indicative of low back pain [LBP]).Summary of Background Data. Previous epidemiologic studies of work have measured gross categories of exposure and found moderate relationships with LBP. More precise quantitative measures of exposure and spine function were hypothesized to increase the chances of identifying any significant associations.Methods. Three hundred and ninety real-time physical exposure measures were collected from distribution center workers performing repetitive manual materials handling tasks. Low back health effect measures were quantitatively measured prospectively for workers performing each of the jobs using a kinematic measure of function.Results. Significant decreases in spine function were observed in workers associated with 40% of the jobs sampled. Numerous significant univariate odds ratios were identified that indicated an association between physical exposure and decreased function. A multivariate model including right lateral trunk velocity, timing of the maximum dynamic asymmetric load moment exposure, and the magnitude of the dynamic sagittal bending moment predicted reduced spine function well. The model resulted in excellent sensitivity (85%) and specificity (87.5%) as well as excellent positive predictive value (89.5%) and negative predictive value (82.4%).Conclusion. This study suggests that with proper quantification of job exposure and spine function, it is possible to identify which dynamic physical exposures are associated with reduced spine function and increases in LBP.Key words: low back pain, low back disorder, biomechanics, spine motion, kinematics, kinetics, ergonomics, workplace, occupation, functional impairment, epidemiology, load moment, spine mechanics, lumbar spine. Spine 2010;35:914 -923It has been well recognized that low back pain (LBP) risk is associated with a combination of personal factors (e.g., genetics), psychological or psychosocial factors, and physical exposures.1 Currently, it is difficult, if not impossible, to modify most individual or psychological factors. However, it is possible to mediate exposure to many of the physical factors encountered in the workplace. In an attempt to control the high cost of LBP, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to influence LBP rates in the workplace by minimizing physical risk factor exposure. 2The relationship between occupational LBP and physical risk factors has been previously investigated primarily in field surveillance studies.3-9 However, the majority of these studies have categorized physical risk factors in gross terms, such as lifting and forceful movements, heavy physical work, awkward postures, and static postures. When risk has been categorized in such a gross manner, significant but low odds ratios (ORs) between risk factors and LBP occurrence have been reported. On the other hand, w...

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“…In general, this study confirms the levels of spine motion associated with risk in this previous study. 18 Thus, this study reinforces our previous findings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Quantitative Dynamic Measures of Physical Exposure Predict Low Back Functional Impairment

Marras

Lavender

Ferguson

et al. 2010

Spine

Self Cite

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“…According to Kumar 34 it is possible to establish a relationship between the external load held in the hand and the muscle load. It is well established in the literature that the handling of heavy weights involves high levels of muscle activity on the lower back 9,15 . According to our results, the same behavior occured for upper limbs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The strategies of MMH activities have been studied through biomechanical and subjective approaches 9,10,11 . While the spinal load during several types of MMH activities has been well studied [12][13][14][15] , the upper limb load still remains neglected. The available literature can provide relevant information on upper limb load, however the studies are mainly focused on light and repetitive loads, which is not applicable when evaluating the musculoskeletal load during boxes handling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do low/high height and weight variation affect upper limb movements during manual material handling of industrial boxes?

Oliveira¹,

Silva²,

Coury³

2011

Rev. bras. fisioter.

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Objectives: To evaluate the effect of surface height and load weight on upper limb movements and electromyographic (EMG) recordings during manual handling performed by both experienced and inexperienced lifter subjects. Methods: Sixteen experienced and sixteen inexperienced lifters handled a box (both 7 and 15 kg) from an intermediate height (waist level) to either a high or low surface.Electromyography and video images were recorded during the tasks. The 10 th , 50 th and 90 th percentiles were calculated for the deltoid and biceps muscles, shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion movements. Groups, right/left sides, weights and heights were compared. There were no differences between either groups or sides. Results: Weight and height variations affected EMG and posture, although weight had more impact on EMG. Shoulder abduction and flexion movements higher than 60° occurred, particularly for the higher surface. Shoulder flexion was also higher when the box was moved to the low height. This study provides new evidence as shoulder postures during boxes handling on low surfaces had not previously been evaluated. Conclusions: The high demand of upper limb in manual material handling tasks is clear, particularly for the shoulder. This knowledge can be used by physical therapists to plan better rehabilitation programs for manual material handling-related disorders, particularly focusing on return to work.Keywords: biomechanics; environment design; weight lifting; cumulative trauma disorders; physical therapy. ResumoObjetivos: Avaliar o efeito da altura de superfície e massa da carga nos movimentos e na atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos membros superiores durante o manuseio de carga realizado por sujeitos experientes e inexperientes. Métodos: Dezesseis sujeitos experientes e 16 inexperientes manusearam uma caixa (7 e 15 kg) de uma superfície com altura intermediária para uma superfície alta e/ou baixa. Durante as tarefas, foram registradas imagens de vídeo e EMG. Os dados foram processados para obtenção dos percentis 10, 50 e 90 referentes à EMG dos músculos deltoide e bíceps e aos movimentos de flexão e abdução do ombro e flexão do cotovelo. Foram comparados os grupos, lados (direito/esquerdo), massas e altura de manuseio. Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes entre os grupos ou lados. As variações de massa e altura de manuseio afetaram a EMG e postura, embora a massa da caixa tenha tido mais impacto sobre a EMG. Os movimentos de abdução e flexão do ombro ocorreram acima de 60°, particularmente no manuseio para a superfície alta. A amplitude de flexão de ombro também foi alta quando a caixa foi movida para a superfície baixa. Esse resultado consiste em uma nova evidência, já que posturas do ombro durante o manuseio de carga em superfícies baixas não tinham sido investigadas. Conclusões: A alta demanda do membro superior em tarefas de manuseio de carga é clara, particularmente do ombro. Esse conhecimento pode ser usado por fisioterapeutas para um melhor planejamento da r...

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Managing Low‐back Disorder Risk in the Workplace

Marras

Karwowski

2021

Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics

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Quantitative biomechanical workplace exposure measures: Distribution centers

Cited by 43 publications

References 11 publications

Quantitative Dynamic Measures of Physical Exposure Predict Low Back Functional Impairment

Quantitative Dynamic Measures of Physical Exposure Predict Low Back Functional Impairment

How do low/high height and weight variation affect upper limb movements during manual material handling of industrial boxes?

Managing Low‐back Disorder Risk in the Workplace

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