• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2001

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.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2002

In this study, an asymmetric lifting posture prediction model was developed, which was a three-dimensional model with 12 links and 23 degrees of freedom open kinematic chains. Although previous researchers have proposed biomechanical, psychophysical, or physiological measures as cost functions, for solving redundancy, they lack in accuracy in predicting actual lifting postures and most of them are confined to the two-dimensional model. To develop an asymmetric lifting posture prediction model, we used the resolved motion method for accurately simulating the lifting motion in a reasonable time. Furthermore, in solving the redundant problem of the human posture prediction, a moment weighted Joint Range Availability (JRA) was used as a cost function in order to consider dynamic lifting. However, it is known that the moment weighted JRA as a cost function predicted the lower extremity and L5/S1 joint motions better than the upper extremities, while the constant weighted JRA as a cost function predicted the latter better than the former. To compensate for this, we proposed a hybrid moment weighted JRA as a new cost function with moment weighted for only the lower extremity. In order to validate the proposed cost function, the predicted and real lifting postures for various lifting conditions were compared by using the root mean square(RMS) error. This hybrid JRA reduced RMS more than the previous cost functions. Therefore, it is concluded that the cost function of a hybrid moment weighted JRA can be used to predict three-dimensional lifting postures. To compare with the predicted trajectories and the real lifting movements, graphical validations were performed. The results also showed that the hybrid moment weighted cost function model was found to have generated the postures more similar to the real movements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.117-120
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• 2001

Low back pain has been known as the most frequent musuculoskeletal disorders in modern industrial society and cost by low back pain is increasing mon and more. The asymmetric lifting has been identified as a major risk factor of low back pain. In this study, the muscle activity and muscle exertion level during asymmetric load handling (without trunk flexion) was estimated. The results of normalized MVC measurement were decreased about 16％, 24％, 34％ respectively as the asymmetric angle was $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$. From the results of EMG measurement contralateral muscles were more active than ipsilateral muscles. RMSEMG values of right erector spinae muscles were decreased as the work posture went to 90$^{\circ}$ and those of left erector spinae muscles were increased until the asymmetric angle was 40$^{\circ}$ but decreased continually over 40$^{\circ}$. And for seven of subjects, activities of left and right latissimus dorsi muscles were maintained constantly, while for remainer, those were irregular.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2006

The muscular-skeletal disorders(MSDs) that have become a major issue recently in Korean industrial safety area are mainly caused by manual material handling task. The objective of this study is to provide scientific data for the establishment of work safety standard for Korean workers through the experiments of lifting task under various conditions, in order to prevent the muscular-skeletal disorders in the industrial work site. Eight male college students were recruited as participants. Three different lifting frequencies(1, 3, 5 lifts/min) and three twisting angles(including the sagittal plane and two asymmetric angles; i.e., 0°, 45°, 90°) for symmetric and asymmetric tasks, respectively, with three lifting range from floor to knuckle height, knuckle to shoulder, floor to shoulder height for one hour's work shift using free style lifting technique were studied. The maximum acceptable weight of load(MAWL) was determined under the different task conditions, and the oxygen consumption, heart rate, and RPE were measured or recorded while subjects were lifting their MAWLs. The results showed that: (1) The MAWLs were significantly decreased as the task frequency and task angle increased.; (2) The heart rate, oxygen consumption, RPE significantly increased with an increase in lifting frequency although maximum acceptable weight of lift decreased.; (3) The highest heart rate and oxygen consumption was recorded at the lifting range of floor to shoulder, followed by floor to knuckle and knuckle to shoulder.; (4) The RPE value showed that subjects perceived more exertion at the high frequency rate of lifting task and lifting range of floor to shoulder height. (5) The modeling for MAWL using isometric strength, task angle and lifting frequency were developed. It is expected that use of the results provided in this study may prove helpful in reducing MMH hazards, especially from lifting tasks for Korean, and can be used as a basis for pre-employment screening.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the cumulative fatigue of trunk muscles andthe period of recovery time during repetitive lifting and lowering tasks with symmetric and asymmetric postures.Ten subjects participated in the experiment. Subjects had 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes recovery time respectivelywhile they were performing the lifting and lowering task repeatedly for 3 minutes with the weight equivalent to25% level of MVC. EMG signals from ten trunk muscles were collected and the fatigue level was analyzedquantitatively. In results, the local muscle fatigue was no longer accumulated when 5 minutes recovery time wasgiven in symmetric position. For asymmetric position, it took longer minutes to prevent the fatigue accumul-ation. Different trunk muscles indicated slightly different recovery patterns in terms of MPF (Mean Powerfrequency) value.This result would help ergonomist design the length of recovery time to control the cumulative fatigue of trunkmuscles in industry with repetitive lifting and lowering task.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4629-4635
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• 2012

This study was aimed at the relationship between peak EMG amplitude on low back muscles acting on L5/S1 and load center of gravity, trunk lateral bending while lifting an object. Musculoskeletal disorders including low back pain can occur even when handling heavy objects only once as well as when doing non-heavy materials repeatedly. 11 male subjects with average 23 age were required to lift a 15.8kg object symmetrically three times. Peak EMG amplitudes on 6 muscles related with L5/S1 were recorded and analyzed. The lifting conditions consisted of lifting symmetric load with no trunk lateral bending, asymmetric load with no trunk lateral bending, and asymmetric load with trunk lateral bending to the load center of gravity within an object. The results showed that peak EMG amplitude on back muscles contralateral to load center of gravity was observed greater in comparison with the symmetric load. Also, in case of lifting asymmetric load the posture with trunk lateral bending increased peak EMG amplitude on muscles contralateral to load center of gravity more than with no trunk lateral bending. This research can be used as one administrative intervention in order to reduce the low back pain incidence with suggesting workers that they keep the trunk not bending to load center of gravity if possible when lifting a heavy asymmetric object.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2009

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of horizontal, vertical, asymmetric and coupling multipliers for manual material handling. Lifting tasks with 5 different horizontal distances ($30{\sim}70cm$) for 6 vertical distances(ankle, knee, waist, elbow, shoulder and head height) were experimented. The muscle activity and muscle exertion level during asymmetric load handling(without trunk flexion) was experimented. Lifting tasks with and without handle tote box for three postures(straight, bending, right angle posture) were experimented. The degrading tendency did not appeared almost in $60{\sim}70cm$ interval's horizontal distance. As a result of ANOVA, MVC paid attention to horizontal and vertical distance but cross effect was insignificant(p<0.01). The change of the MVC according to the horizontal, vertical distance appeared similar from of RWL. The results of normalized MVC measurement were decreased about 16%, 24%, 34% respectively as the asymmetry angle was $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$. RMS EMG values of right erector spinae muscles were decreased as the work posture went to $90^{\circ}$ and those of left erector spinae muscles were increased until the asymmetry angle was $40^{\circ}$ but decreased continually over $40^{\circ}$. 7 subjects, activities of left and right latissimus dorsi muscles were maintained constantly, while for remainer, those were irregular. MVC reduced maximum 23% by type of handle. MVC was highest in straight posture, but was lowest in right angle posture. As a result of ANOVA, MVC paid attention to posture, coupling(p<0.01). To all handle types, biceps brachii activity was increased in right angle posture, but reduced in straight posture. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the NIOSH guideline should not be directly applied to Korean without reasonable reexamination. In addition, we need to afterward study through an age classification.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2012

Objectives: This study's aims were to evaluate the effects of load center of gravity within an object lifted and feet placements on peak EMG amplitude acting on bilateral low back muscle groups, and to suggest adequate foot strategies with an aim to reducing low back pain incidence while lifting asymmetric load. Methods: The hypotheses that asymmetric load imposes more peak EMG amplitude on low back muscles contralateral to load center of gravity than symmetric load and maximum peak EMG amplitude out of bilateral ones can be relieved by locating one foot close to load center of gravity in front of the other were established based on biomechanics including safety margin model and previous researches. 11 male subjects were required to lift symmetrically a 15.8kg object during 2sec according to each conditions; symmetric load-parallel feet (SP), asymmetric load-parallel feet (AP), asymmetric load-one foot contralateral to load center of gravity in front of the other (AL), and asymmetric load-one foot ipsilateral to load center of gravity in front of the other (AR). Bilateral longissimus, iliocostalis, and multifidus on right and left low back area were selected as target muscles, and asymmetric load had load center of gravity 10cm deviated to the right from the center in the frontal plane. Results: Greater peak EMG amplitude in left muscle group than in right one was observed due to the effect of load center of gravity, and mean peak EMG amplitudes on both sides was not affected by load center of gravity because of EMG balancing effect. However, the difference of peak EMG amplitudes between both sides was significantly affected by it. Maximum peak EMG amplitude out of both sides and the difference of peak EMG amplitude between both sides could be reduced with keeping one foot ipsilateral to load center of gravity in front of the other while lifting asymmetric load. Conclusions: It was likely that asymmetric load lead to the elevated incidence of low back pain in comparison with symmetric load based on maximum peak EMG amplitude occurrence and greater imbalanced peak EMG amplitude between both sides. Changing feet positions according to the location of load center of gravity was suggested as one intervention able to reduce the low back pain incidence.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2015

RGT(Riser Guide Tube) is a part of mooring on the bottom of a turret system to be connected with a production riser, and DBSC(Diverless Bend Stiffener Connector) is a latching component between them. In this paper, appropriate lug arrangement is decided mathematically for the case that a DBSC is lifted and installed on a RGT under the water while FPSO is under construction. Considering asymmetric arrangement & position of RGT and initial lug position, additional lug positions are determined by using an optimization method. The modified installation scheme with new lug points is investigated with a lifting simulation system, SIMSON. The simulation result shows that the installation of DBSC on RGT under the given conditions is quite feasible; therefore the mathematical method is proven to be appropriate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.103-109
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• 2012

The purpose of this paper is to suggest the strategical lifting postures able to alleviate imbalanced EMG amplitude leading to an increase in low back muscle fatigue while lifting asymmetric load dynamically. Eleven male subjects are required to lift symmetrically an external load with 15.8kg and load center of gravity (LCG) deviated 10cm to the right from the floor to the waist height at the speed of about 25cm/sec. The EMG amplitudes on bilateral low back muscles (Longissimus, Iliocostalis, and Multifidus) are recorded during 2sec and analyzed. Independent variables are trunk postures (No bending vs. Bending to the LCG) and feet placements (Parallel vs. Right foot in front of the other vs. Right foot behind the other). Dependent variables are EMG amplitude average on six muscles and the EMG amplitude difference between right and left muscle group. Results indicate the phenomenon showing an amplitude increase in the left muscle group is equal to an decrease in the right one is observed in dynamic as well as static lifts, bending the trunk to the LCG increases amplitude discrepancy more than no trunk bending, and the amplitude discrepancy in one foot ipsilateral to LCG in front of the other foot is lowest among other foot postures. As bilateral EMG amplitude discrepancy increases total low back muscle fatigue, the strategical combination of no trunk bending and one foot close to LCG in front of the other is recommended for preventing elevated incidence of low back pain (LBP).