Fatigue Patterns on Trunk Muscles at Various Asymmetric Twisting Conditions

비틀림 동작에서의 허리근육의 피로도 패턴

Twisting posture in lifting tasks has been identified as a risk factor of low back pain. However, it has been usually estimated in terms of compressive stress or muscular activity. Thus, this study was conducted to predict the influence on muscular fatigue during lifting simulation. Fifteen young and healthy subjects were recruited and performed isometric trunk exertions during upright standing, two-level flexions and five-level asymmetric twisting conditions. EMG signals from five primary trunk muscles in right part of body were collected during 20sec for 45 different lifting conditions. RMS(root mean square) and MPF(mean power frequency) parameters were used to analyze the EMG signals. Twisting postures were significant in right erector spinae(ERSR), right latissimus dorsi(LATR), right internal oblique(INOR) for muscular activities. Especially, when trunk was $30^{\circ}$ CCW twisting posture. ERSR and INOR activities increased respectively by 11% and 3%. Regarding the trunk muscle fatigue, we found that MPF shifts in twisting posture increased 2.3 and 2.6 times for ERSR and INOR muscles respectively. Therefore, It is probable for workers to suffer from low back disorders when they were exposed to a extreme twisting posture during prolonged lifting. This study suggests NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation needs the time-duration multiplier in addition to asymmetric multiplier.