Effect of tool weight and hand posture on the postural tremor of the upper extremity

In light-weight hand tools, static posture may result in postural fatigue. Psotural tremor of the upper extremity in a static posture was measured to provide guidelines for hand tool weight. Postural tremor was measured on five levels of tool weitht : no weight, 400g, 800g, 1200g, and 1600g. Three types of camcorder recording postures were selected. For each condition, postural tremor was measured together with ENG of biceps, deltoid and pectoralis major, and Borg's CR-20 ratings of perceved exertion. Results of the experiment are as follows : frequency analysis of tremor revealed increased amplitude of frequency bands of 2-4Hz and 10-14Hz. Postural tremor of the upper extremeity maintained the initial level until fatigue developed. After the development of fatigue, the rate of change of postural tremor significantly increased. Different tool weights and hand postures showed different rates of tremor increase. Time tp fatigue and corresaponding endurance time were positively correlated with Borg's RPE scores.