• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic(EMG) activities of trunk and hip muscles between right and left sides while subjects performed prolonged manual task in asymmetric and symmetric weight-bearing posture. Fifteen healthy male college students were recruited for this study. The subjects were asked to perform bimanual upper extremity task for 6 minutes in two different standing postures. In the symmetric weight-bearing posture, the subjects were standing with evenly distributed body weights to both legs. In the asymmetric weight-bearing posture, the subjects distributed about 90% of their body weight onto their preferred(supporting) leg and 10% of their body weight onto the opposite leg while they were standing. EMG activities of the right and left internal oblique, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius were measured and normalized as % MVIC. Then the EMG data were statistically analyzed using paired t-tests. The EMG activities of all measured muscles were not significantly different between the right and left side in the symmetrical weight-bearing posture(p>0.05). However, the EMG of the supporting side internal oblique was significantly lower than the opposite side(p<0.05), and the EMG of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius were significantly greater on the supporting side(p<0.05). The results of this study support that unbalanced use of right and left muscle possibly causes the changes in muscle length which results in asymmetry of trunk and hip muscles. Furthermore, the uneven weight support onto right and left legs will cause a distortion of viscoelastic ligaments around hip and sacroiliac joints in the long run. Further studies to determine the effect of various manual tasks on the trunk and hip muscles as well as the effect of asymmetrical weight-bearing standing posture on hip and back muscle fatigue may be required.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the state of oral prophylaxis practice among dental hygiene students and their awareness of musculoskeletal diseases in an effort to provide some information on how to strengthen education on treatment posture to manage musculoskeletal diseases and how to raise awareness of musculoskeletal diseases. From November 2 to 13, 2016, a self-administered survey was conducted on 653 sophomores, juniors and seniors with an experience of oral prophylaxis practice. SPSS version 20.0 for Windows was employed to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. The largest group that accounted for 37.4% responded that the total number of students undergoing oral prophylaxis practice during a semester was four to six. The biggest group that represented 65.4% answered that the required practice time per student was one to fewer than three hours. 76.0% continued to be in the repeated same posture. 2. As for the posture of patients, supine position was most common for the maxillary sinus, which accounted for 82.2%. And semi-upright position was most common for the mandibular sinus, which represented 49.6%. 3. In regard to the burden of oral prophylaxis practice, 33.9% considered the required for the practice appropriate. 42.3% took the repeated long-lasting posture, and 53.5% were under physical pressure. 55.4% suffered from mental pressure and stress. 4. The most dominant musculoskeletal area that they experienced pain after oral prophylaxis practice was neck with 52.5%; waist with 48.2, shoulders/wrists/hands with 45.5, back with 10.3, buttocks with 4.1, elbows with 2.3, legs with 2.1, ankles/feet with 0.8 and knees with 0.6%. 5. Concerning the maintenance of repeated treatment postures and pain experience, the students who continued to be in the repeated same position underwent more pain than the others who didn't on the shoulders(2.92±1.05), in the waist(3.02±1.01), buttocks(1.75±0.92), elbows(1.55±0.79) and ankles/foot(2.52±1.25). The differences were statistically significant(p<.05, p<.01). 6. As to educational experience on treatment posture and musculoskeletal diseases, 88.8% received education on treatment posture; 87.9%, on what position should be taken in times of cooperation; 46.9%, on musculoskeletal diseases; 51.9%, on carpal tunnel syndrome; 42.3%, on varicose vein. The students who replied education on occupational diseases was necessary accounted for 89.6%. 7. The students who experienced treatment posture education were better aware of the causes of musculoskeletal diseases(3.23±3.00), ways for preventing the diseases(3.33±.834) and how to stretch the body(3.63±.858). The differences were statistically significant(p<.05, p<.001). 8. The students who experienced education on occupational diseases heard more about musculoskeletal diseases(3.27±.965), were better cognizant of the causes of the diseases(3.45±.847), were better aware of how to prevent them(3.55±.805) and found themselves to know how to stretch to prevent the diseases (3.73±.826). The differences were statistically significant(p<.001).