• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.1498-1507
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effect of neck stabilization exercise and Swiss ball exercise on the recovery from the fatigue of neck muscles induced. The turtleneck posture was set artificially by using Smartphone with healthy adults. Repetitively measured ANOVA was executed to examine the changes in the muscle fatigue of sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and splenius capitis among three-time intervals (at the time of general resting, work and after intervention) in the three intervention groups (neck stabilization exercise group, Swiss ball exercise group, and ordinary rest group). There were no significant differences in the changes of fatigue of sternocleidomastoid muscle among all three intervention groups at the time of general resting, work and after intervention (p>.05). Although there was no significant difference in the changes in the fatigue of upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles between the intervention groups at the time of general resting and work (p>.05), there was the significant difference between the three intervention groups at the time of work and after intervention (p>.05). This study suggest that Swiss ball exercise is more effective in reducing the muscular fatigue of the neck and shoulder at a turtleneck posture than neck stabilization exercise.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2011

In forest work, working conditions are very hard to improve. The proper distribution of work time and good posture is believed to bring about direct improvements such as accident prevention. On this, this study has analyzed forest workers' posture and their working hours in order to improve their working conditions in stone channel work. Authors has chosen several core elements of stone channel work to focus on, which include stone masonry, excavation of bed, moving stone, directing work, choosing stone, and breaking stone. The ratio of real working time over total working time was shown as 84.6%. As for the time ratio of each elemental work over the real working time, the stone masonry was 60.4%, the directing work was 15.1%, moving stone was 12.1%, choosing stone was 7.1%, breaking stone was 3.3%, and excavation of bed was 2.0%. According to the analytical results provided by OWAS, the ratio of category III (Work posture has a distinctly harmful effect on the musculoskeletal system) has shown that moving stone turned out 65.2%, choosing stone was 61.5%, stone masonry was 46.1%, breaking stone was 14.3%, excavation of bed was 12.5% and directing work was 6.8%. Furthermore, the ratio of category IV (Work posture with an extremely harmful effect on the musculoskeletal system) has shown that excavation of bed turned out 37.5%, breaking stone was 28.6%, stone masonry was 27.3%, choosing stone was 7.7%, moving stone was 6.1% and directing working was 4.5%. These results are expected to be utilized for the improvement with respect to both working methods in the stone channel work and the workers' working posture.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between job stress and work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms among nurses working in general hospitals. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were 438 nurses currently working in 4 general hospitals. Data were collected from Jan 2007 to Feb 2007, with Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS)-basic form, KOSHA code H-30 and a questionnaire for general characteristics. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized. Result: Most participants(90.4%) complained of work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms. However, symptomatic nurses satisfying NIOSH screening criteria(symptomatic nurses) were 66.9%(293 persons). The most complained body part was back(39.5%). shoulder(37.7%), leg and foot(36.5%), wrist and hand(21.7%), neck(18.7%), and arm(9.8%). The mean of total score of occupational stress was 51.11. In multiple logistic regression analyses, age, working posture and total score of occupational stress showed significant associations with back symptoms. Exercise and total score of occupational stress were significantly related with shoulder symptoms. Hours of daily house keeping and working posture were related with leg and foot symptoms. Marital status and working posture were related with wrist and hand symptoms. Working posture only showed significant relations with neck symptom. Marital status, hours of daily house keeping, shift work, working posture, and total score of occupational stress were related with the symptoms in the arm. In conclusion, job stress of nurses might be related with work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.40 no.11
• /
• pp.193-205
• /
• 2002

To evaluate farmers' workload during harvesting grapes in summer, this study investigated farmers' physiological, psychological responses, work postures and thermal environment around in the field. This field study was conducted in the Anseong County of Kyonggi Province at the end of August. Five career farmers (1 male, 4 females) volunteered as subjects. Three of them were over their sixties. During harvesting grapes in the field, physiological responses were monitored continuously. 1. Air temperature (T/sub a/), air humidity(H/sub a/), black globe temperature(T/sub g/), air velocity and WBGT around the grape field were 26.9℃, 77.7%RH, 32.8℃, 0.08㎧ and 26.3℃, respectively. Because farmers started the harvesting task in early morning, thermal environments weren't conditions to give farmers severe heat strain. 2. The percentage of the work postures was larger in order of standing, walking, and bending one's back posture. Particularly, the percentage of standing posture with raising both arms above shoulder of two farmers was up to 29% and 61% of the total work duration. 3. Rectal temperature (T/sub re/), mean skin temperature (T/sub sk/), clothing microclimate temperature (T/sub cl/) on the chest and the back, heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) were 37.2℃, 33.1℃, 32.0℃, 32.4℃, 88bpm and 1.3 Kca1/㎡/min respectively. In the point of these physiological results, we evaluated that the harvesting task was a moderate work. 4. All farmers expressed‘hard, hot, humid and slightly uncomfortable’ at the end of works for each subjective questionnaire. The grape harvesting tasks were not evaluated as a very hard work in the point of physiological work standards. But we considered 1) inappropriate work posture (standing posture with raising both arms above shoulder) and 2) farmers' age as burden factors. These findings suggest that adding adequate protective clothing/equipments for farmers may contribute to maintain their body temperature within the normal range, stabilize HR and decrease psychological strain.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.124-133
• /
• 2010

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a model describing the interaction between lifestyle, job, and postural factors and parts of the upper extremities in shipyard workers. Methods: A questionnaire survey was given to 2,140 workers at a shipyard in Ulsan City. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the subjects' general characteristics, lifestyle, tenure, physical burden, job control, posture and musculoskeletal symptoms. The overall relationship between variables was analyzed by a structural equation model (SEM). Results: The positive rate of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms increased in employees who worked longer hours, had severe physical burden, and did not have any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with an increased positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden were closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, tenure, and job control. In SEM analysis, work-related musculoskeletal disease was influenced directly and indirectly by physical and job stress factors, lifestyle, age, and tenure (p < 0.05). The strongest correlations were found between physical factors and work-related musculoskeletal disease. Conclusion: The model in this study provides a better approximation of the complexity of the actual relationship between risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Among the variables evaluated in this study, physical factors (work posture) had the strongest association with musculoskeletal disorders.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.174-183
• /
• 2023

Background: Office workers experience neck or back pain due to poor posture, such as flexed head and forward head posture, during long-term sedentary work. Posture correction is used to reduce pain caused by poor posture and ensures proper alignment of the body. Several assistive devices have been developed to assist in maintaining an ideal posture; however, there are limitations in practical use due to vast size, unproven long-term effects or inconsistency of maintaining posture alignment. We developed a headphone and necklace posture correction system (HANPCS) for posture correction using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor that provides visual or auditory feedback. Objects: To demonstrate the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of neck and upper trunk flexion measurements using a HANPCS, compared with a three-dimensional motion analysis system (3DMAS). Methods: Twenty-nine participants were included in this study. The HANPCS was applied to each participant. The angle for each action was measured simultaneously using the HANPCS and 3DMAS. The data were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = [3,3] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The angular measurements of the HANPCS for neck and upper trunk flexions showed high intra- (ICC = 0.954-0.971) and inter-day (ICC = 0.865-0.937) values, standard error of measurement (SEM) values (1.05°-2.04°), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values (2.92°-5.65°). Also, the angular measurements between the HANPCS and 3DMAS had excellent ICC values (> 0.90) for all sessions, which indicates high concurrent validity. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the HANPCS is as accurate in measuring angle as the gold standard, 3DMAS. Therefore, the HANPCS is reliable and valid because of its angular measurement reliability and validity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of transmitted vibration to hand-arm system under different work posture while operating a light-weighted powered hand grinder. For the experiment, 8 different types of wrist posture (natural, unlar-flexion, radual-flexion, flexion, extension, complex posture, and etc.) and 3 types of feed force (20[N], 50[N], 70[N]) were considered. 10 male subjects were employed to polish metal plate with a hand grinder. All of them were normal and healthy with no history and symptom of the work related musculoskeletal disorders in the dominant hand. Vibration acceleration data were recorded with sampling rate, 2048[Hz]. In addition, unweighted overall R.M.S. acceleration at the tool and wrist, and transmissibility between them were used to evaluate factors from the recorded tri-axial vibration acceleration. The results indicate that transmissibility of natural wrist posture was significantly higher than others. In addition, as the feed force becomes larger, the vibration was transmitted in large quantities to hand-arm system through radius.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.307-317
• /
• 2016

Objective: This study looks into biomechanical variables occurring when one moves in a sitting posture, and presents objective references to make improvements in work environments of farm workers. Background: The farmers have more common musculoskeletal disorders compared to other professions, because they are much more exposed to biomechanical risk factors. The sitting posture that is the representative form of the squatted, can cause typical knee joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis or patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knee joint. Therefore, a quantitative study of knee load upon the movement in a squatting posture is required. Method: In order to proceed with its investigation, the study examined movements in a sitting posture with and without a lower body supporter through a threedimensional image analysis and by using Surface EMG. The study compared and analyzed the average muscle activity and the maximum muscle activity as well. Results: Every movement in a sitting posture is related to loads onto the knee joints and, when the farm workers move to sides, the study observed a high level of bowlegged moment. The study also noticed differences in muscle activity of medial gastrocnemius with and without the lower body supporter. Conclusion and Application: The study argues that what has been discussed so far is evidence to prove how the farm working environments should be improved in consideration of these movements observed when the farm workers move in a sitting posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2014

In this study, we present a method for correcting unbalanced sitting posture alignment to its optimal position, by designing a chair equipped with pressure sensor. With increasement in sedentary work, such as office work or study, people are now spending more time in chair. To accommodate sedentary life styles, many chairs are being designed for a comfortable sitting condition. However, without awareness and efforts for correct sitting posture, it may not be possible to achieve such condition. When the weight is not distributed evenly while sitting, it may cause various diseases such as scoliosis and a herniated disc. Being inspired by such facts, we have progressed basic researches to maintain the correct sitting posture. To demonstrate the proof-of-concept validation, we installed a series of sensors to a chair and then measured the changes in pressure distribution in various postures. The results show that this approach can be potentially helpful for understanding how fundamental problems due to unbalanced sitting posture can be corrected and maintained properly.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1019-1030
• /
• 2011

The aim of this study was to develop a pattern of flight attendant uniform shirts to provide better comfort for their work postures. Flight attendants' work postures were evaluated to determine the problems of clothing and mobility during their work. The pattern of the flight attendants' uniform shirt was altered by applying dynamic wearing ease(DWE). DWE was calculated from four standardized dynamic postures and a static posture. An experimental garment was made with the altered postures. The researcher redesigned the pattern of the uniform shirts, which minimizes physical limitations in movements. The fit and mobility of the shirts were evaluated. Results of this study are as follows. First, the five representative work postures were selected by "clothing stress" and "repetitiveness." These postures included raised arms, twisting midriff and shoulder postures. Five representative postures were selected by using the ergonomic posture assessment device index(OWAS). Second, the experimental garment was developed by applying DWE across the back and at armhole depth, back length, and side length. Third, the fit and mobility of the experimental garments and the original uniform shirts were compared at the flight working environment set and 5 dynamic body postures of raising arms. The experimental garments made with an altered pattern provided better fit and mobility than the original sample shirts.