• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 1982

This study was conducted to examine the relation between the clothing materials and the garment's ease under wearing condition. Wearing test of slacks in the same pattern which were made of 3 woven fabrics and 1 knitted fabric have teen carried out. Subjects were 5 female students. Some physical properties of these fabrics were investigated. The following results were obtained. 1, By analysis variance with the results of sensory test which was tested by paired com-parison method, it was obtained that the effect of materials on the garment's ease were significant at the $1\%$ level on every part of stacks and posture of subject. It indicates that there is a difference of materials from materials in garment's ease. 2. Significant at the $5\%$ level among the materials. Jersey and Jean were looser than the other two materials. Clothing materials have considerable effect on the garment's ease of slacks, therefore it was noticed that the ease of slacks must have considered the clothing materials. It is more necessary in working dress. 3. Elastic recovery of width was more contributive to garment's ease of slacks than any other physical properties.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate which physical and psychosocial work demands were associated with excellent work ability in individuals with neck pain, and to investigate age and sex differences in these associations. Methods: The study sample was obtained from the Statistics Sweden cross-sectional Work Environment survey and consisted of workers who reported neck pain after work (N = 3,212). Results: The findings showed an association between excellent work ability and self-reported low exposure to lifting, twisted work posture, working with hands in shoulder level or higher, and leaning forward without support and combination of exposures containing these work demands. Low exposure to seated work and high demands showed a reversed association. The associations were present mainly among older workers and were generally stronger for men than for women. Conclusion: This study indicates that a lower level of physically demanding work is an important element to maintain excellent work ability, especially for the older worker with neck pain.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.33-46
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 119 EMT during patient-carrying tasks using a long backboard (LBB) and a variable stretcher. Methods: Manikins were used as patients, and 45 new 119 EMT from K Fire Academy were filmed performing patient-carrying tasks on stairs. The tasks were analyzed using Ovako working posture analysis system (OWAS) and Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Results: In using LBB, the OWAS score was Mode 3(Mean 2.37, Maximum 3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 11(Mean 9.16, Maximum 11), requiring immediate improvement. In using variable stretcher, the OWAS score was Mode 1(Mean 2.33, Maximum 3), non-necessity for corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 9(Mean 8.0, Maximum 11), requiring as soon as possible. Conclusion: In conclusion, improvement was needed in one task (carrying a patient using a LBB) in the OWAS and in two tasks (carrying a patient using a LBB, carrying a patient using a variable stretcher) in the REBA. Thereby, required attention and management of WMSDs during training. In addition, it is essential to carry out objective and quantitative assessments through ergonomic analysis by occupational health professionals when designing future training programs to prevent WMSDs.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.183-196
• /
• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.185-190
• /
• 2000

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of Lumbar Lordosis Angle(LLA) between patients with Low Back Pain(LBP) and control groups. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 40 adult LBP patients seeking physical therapy services and by 40 controls at the Department of Physical Therapy. Saejong Neurosurgical Clinic in Taegu city from October 1999 to March 2000. LLA was measured on lateral x-ray films in a standing position. The angle between a line parallel to the top of the first Lumbar(L1) and the top of the fifth Lumbar(L5) was defined LLA. Results: LLA of $29.88^{\circ}$ for LBP patients was a statistically significant decrease from that of $35.31^{\circ}$ for controls in the difference of lumbar lordosis(p<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between senders in patient groups. Females$(32.32^{\circ})$ had significantly greater angles than males$(27.32^{\circ})$(p<0.05), while $36.63^{\curc}$ for female was also greater than $34.12^{\circ}$ for male in the controls. No significant difference was found between age. In patient groups, $27.95^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a smaller than $32.32^{\circ}$ for above, however, $35.82^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a little greater than $34.27^{\circ}$ for above in controls. Patients in a sitting posture had greater LLA$(31.35^{\circ}$ than those standing$(28.93^{\circ})$, however values for controls were similar to each other. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that distinct differences exist among patients and controls and gender, whereas little difference exists in age and working posture.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.289-299
• /
• 2007

Objectives : To investigate the related factors on musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean female workers. Methods : A total of 1,875 female workers (1,002 office workers and 873 blue-collar workers) was analyzed. They were randomly selected among female workers by cluster sampling and interviewed by well trained interviewer, who filled out a structured questionnaire on the musculoskeletal symptoms. Other factors such as general and occupational characteristics including workplace location, employment condition, work duration, and working condition were also investigated. Results : Current smokers and drinkers were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working full time were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working over 8 hours per day were also popular in office workers than in blue-collar workers. Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly higher in the type of work including excessive repetitive work, work using awkward stretching hand upwards, work using repetitive wrist movements, static work using awkward hand posture, and heavy manual lifting and handling works. The mean score of the symptoms were significantly higher in blue-collar than in office workers. The significantly different working factors between two groups were work duration, employment condition and daily work hours. Conclusion : We suggest that the type of work including awkward and repetitive works as well as job type may be one of the most important factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms of female workers in the workplace. Preventive strategy will be needed to prevent the negative impact on health status of working women in the workplace.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.139-155
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to glean lessons for desirable early childhood physical education programs by contouring the current paradigms on body or physical activities in the area of early education for young children. It also aimed to analyze their postures while participating in daily activities. The research method for analysis of children's postures while doing daily activities was OWAS(Ovako Working Posture Analysing System) which has been extensively used in ergonomics. Components of data analysis have been redesigned on the basis of information gathered from OWAS with the help of ergonomic experts. The results showed different percentages of children's movements according to activities such as whole class meeting, small group activity and outdoor activity. Small group and outdoor activities can be considered the most desirable physical activities not only for cognitive and social development but also for physical development. And it is recommended to reconstruct the quality and nature of whole class meetings in order to coordinate the physical nature of young children.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.15-31
• /
• 2000

The aim was to evaluate the prevailing ergonomic and psychosocial conditions regarding low back injury in an automobile assembly system. This study consisted of two parts. In the first part of the study, analytic biomechanical model and NIOSH guidelines were applied to evaluate risk levels of low back injury for automobile assembly jobs. Total of 246 workers were analysed. There were 20 jobs having greater back compressive forces than 300kg at L5/S1. Also, there were 44 jobs over Action Limit with respect to 1981 NIOSH guidelines. This might in part be explained by the ergonomic conditions of the company analysed generally being good, with a relatively low duration of 'combined' extreme work posture. The relationship between psychosocial factors and low back injury was examined in the second part of the study. It has recently been recognized that overall reaction to working conditions was influenced by a range of factors, some of which were physical and some psychosocial. The psychosocial environment surrounding the work place may contribute to the perception of risk and eventual ill-health. A battery of questionnaires concerning the psychosocial stress based on PWI(Psychosocial Well-being Index) and musculoskeletal pain symptoms at low back was completed by 246 workers at the same plant. Results showed that 207 out 246 workers experienced the symptoms and 27 workers were diagnosed as patients. Two groups(low stressed, high stressed) based on PWI score had no significant relationships with both symptoms and results of diagnosis. However, sensitivities for symptoms and diagnosis by PWI were 91.3% and 92.6% respectively. Finally, relationships between physical work load and psychosocial stress were analysed. Specifically, some postural factors {vertical deviation angle of forearm, horizontal deviation angle of upperarm, vertical deviation angle of thigh, etc) were highly correlated with psychosocial stress. The results illustrated that PWI scores were associated with some physical workloads. However, psychosocial stress levels couldn't be well related with the pain symptom as well as the actual incidence of low back injury since pain or discomfort regarding low back injury were more complex than that of other musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess excavator drivers in order to determine the proportion showing subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and to evaluate the association between the symptoms and characteristics of the subjects. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the information on participants' age, average working hours per day, duration of career (years), work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, and more. The final dataset included 141 excavator drivers. Frequency and percentage were summarized and then the associations between the characteristics of the subjects and symptoms were evaluated as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Seventy-six percent of the currently reported musculoskeletal symptoms. Those who have musculoskeletal symptoms attributed their symptoms to unstable posture at work, mental stress or vibrations. There was a significant association between symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and career of excavator drivers (P for trend=0.04). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders may be high among excavator drivers and warrants well-designed studies on work-related disorders among excavator drivers.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.328-342
• /
• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the factors related to tooth wear. For this study, 78 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 76 dental students without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were selected as the patients group and as the normal group, respectively. Preferred chewing side, Angle's classification, lateral guidance pattern, head and shoulder posture were observed clinically. Electromyographic activity of anterior temporalis and masseter muscle were recorded with $BioEMG^{(R)}$ and occlusal status were recorded with $T-Scan^{(R)}$. Wear facet area of each tooth was measured from working model of upper arch corresponding to the occlusal status from T-Scan. Wear facet area were measured with planimeter in $mm^2$. Total area were divided into incisal, canine, posterior tooth area. Anterior wearfacet area was incisor area plus canine area, and unilateral area was anterior area plus posterior area. The data collected were analyzed by SAS statistical program and the results of this study were as follows: 1. There was no significant difference between the two groups in total werafacet area, and male subjects showed tendency to have larger area in the normal group but female subjects showed tendency vice versa. 2. There was no significant difference related to preferred chewing side and Angle's classification, however some difference was observed by lateral guidance pattern. Anterior wear facet area in subjects of canine guidance was the largest in the three subgroups. 3. Subjects with head tilting to right side had larger posterior and total area, and subjects with higher shoulder in right side had larger canine and anterior area than any other subgrous. 4. Electromyographic activity of masseter muscle was more correlated with wear facet area than anterior temporalis muscle, and tooth contact number and force were significantly correlated with wear facet area, but the most important factor affecting tooth attrition was age.