• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.123-124
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• 2019

In the labor-intensive construction site, potential threats of the musculoskeletal diseases mainly caused by various repetitive physical tasks, vulnerable environment, and the aging of the labor worker exist. However, quantitative measuring method of construction labor worker's work posture has not been improved yet. This study proposed musculoskeletal measuring method by using wearable motion recognition sensor for quantitative evaluation and analysis of working posture of construction workers. This method is expected to be used as a basic data for posture analysis and prevention construction safety accidents, as well as physical workload and labor productivity analysis by labor work type.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2001

Low back pain is significant problem in today's society, with lifetime incidence rate reported between 50% and 90%. Many factors associated with LBP are reported. The purpose of this studies were to be evaluated static standing posture aberrations in chronic LBP in comparison with healthy individuals. The samples including 80 subjects recruited to the following two groups:patients and control(normal) Questionnaires were completed by 40 LBP patients and 40 controls at the department of Physical Therapy, Saejong neurosurgical clinic in Taegu city from October 1, 1999 to March 30, 2000. The angle of lumbar lordosis was measured on lateral x-ray films with standing position. In LBP groups. the mean degree of lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination, and lumbosacral joint angle were 29.9 ${\pm}$ 9.3, 34.8 ${\pm}$ 8.2, and 12.7 ${\pm}$ 5.7 respectively. Control groups, the mean degree of lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination and lumbosacral joint angle were 35.3 ${\pm}$ 7.8, 34.9 ${\pm}$ 6.4 and 12.5 ${\pm}$ 4.3 respectively. there were significantly decreaseds in lumbar lordosis in Low back pain group. lumbar lordosis on the working posture had significant differences among groups(sitting position patients 31.4 ${\pm}$ 9.3, standing position patients 29.4 ${\pm}$ 9.3, sitting position control 35.0 ${\pm}$ 6.4, standing position control 35.5 ${\pm}$ 8.8, respectively) (p=0.034). sacral inclination on the working posture had differences among groups(sitting position patients 35.9 ${\pm}$ 8.7.standing position patients 33.6 ${\pm}$ 7.6, sitting position control 33.9 ${\pm}$ 5.9. standing position control 35.6 ${\pm}$ 6.8, respectively). lumbersacral joint angle on the working Posture had differences among groups(sitting position patients 12.0 ${\pm}$ 5.6, standing position patients 13.4 ${\pm}$ 5.9, sitting position control 11.2 ${\pm}$ 3.0. standing position control 13.4$^{\circ}$, respectively).

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive posture classification scheme considering the effects of external load and motion repetition as well as those of working posture. The scheme was developed based on a series of existing empirical studies dealing with postural classification scheme, effects of external load and motion repetition. Ranges of joint motions, external load and motion repetition were divided into the groups with the same degree of discomforts. Each group was assigned a numerical relative discomfort score of code on the basis of discomfort values for the neutral position of elbow flexion. The criteria for evaluating stress of working postures were proposed based on the four distinct action categories, in order to enable practitioners to apply appropriate corrective actions. The proposed scheme was compared with OWAS, RULA and REBA. The comparison revealed that while the proposed scheme and RULA showed similar results for the working postures with light external load and non-repetitive postures, the former overestimated postural load for postures with moderate or heavy external load and repetitive postures than the latter.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.551-558
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of mechanical projectile transfer system to prevent musculoskeletal problems in the firing test range. Prior to 2010, the projectile has been transferred from the worktable to the loading device of 155mm K9 fixed-type artillery by manual. Because the amount of firing test has been increased drastically since 2010, two types of mechanical projectile transfer system were developed to prevent musculoskeletal problems. The NIOSH lift equation and the working posture assessment system such as OWAS, RULA and REBA were used to evaluate the appropriacy of working weight and posture by manual transfer of projectile. The configuration and operation procedure of projectile transfer systems which were developed to improve work efficacy and to reduce the burden of manual transferring were described. The improvements were assessed by the number of processes, the tact time and the working posture assessment for operation of this system by comparing to the manual transfer of projectile.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.69-74
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• 2011

Despite most of tasks in manufacturing, construction and agriculture, etc., were currently mechanized and automated, manual materials handling still existed in atypical working condition. In case of manual materials handling, repetitive work, inappropriate working posture, excessive force, contact stress might cause overload, which could lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and low back pains. On this basis, the goal of this study is to reveal the effects of various lifting postures of trunk angles and lower extremity postures on maximum holding time(MHT). Twenty two subjects were recruited from a university population. The experiment was designed by a combination of three trunk angle ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) and three lower extremity postures(straight, bent, kneeling). Before experimental trials, subjects performed MVC(maximum voluntary contraction) exertions in three trunk angles ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) to calculate 30%MVC at designated postures. In each trial, they were required to hold the handheld load(30%MVC) for a designated posture as long as they could. The results of MVC by trunk angles were measured in $0^{\circ}$ > $20^{\circ}$ > $60^{\circ}$ orders, but those of MHT measured in $20^{\circ}$ > $0^{\circ}$ > $60^{\circ}$ orders. These results showed that straight posture is the ideal working posture in work exerted a strong force for a short time, but the ability to work might be improved in the trunk angle $20^{\circ}$ in work required 30%MVC for a long time. Also, results of MVC and MHT by lower extremity postures measured in straight > bent > kneeling orders.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2015

This study tried to identify the problems associated with the posture to be analyzed and tried to suggest guidelines for MSDs(Musculoskeletal Disorders) evaluation based on working posture. A total of 50 jobs from 3 different types of industries(electronics, hospitals, automobiles) were used for MSDs evaluation study which was done by 6 observers. Two indexes were applied to identify the problem in this study which were percentage of agreement and counter-time-error rate. Specifically, 'counter-time-error rate' represented a degree of consistency in terms of selecting the posture to be analyzed time after time. Main results of the study were as follows; 1) The average percentage of agreement for representative posture for whole body was relatively higher than that for representative postures for individual body parts, 2) The counter-time-error rate(%) has been reduced as the evaluation process has repeated for the same job. 3) The counter-time-error rate(%) for electronics, hospitals, and automobiles were 63.4%, 61.2%, and 67.3% respectively. 4) The counter-time-error rate(%) for the job with the work cycle of 0.5 to 2 minutes were lower than that of the jobs with the work cycles less than 0.5 minute or greater than 2 minute. 5) The work cycles and the number of trials had significant effects on counter-time-error rate while the types of industries did not have significant effects on counter-time-error rate. Some guidelines could be prepared from the results of the study. Probably, there should have an extension in terms of form and matter for this study in order to have more practical output.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2002

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the physical load by identifying harmfully working postures and to develop recommendations for improving the existing situation with nurses in ICU, thereby to provide the basis for development of work-related musculoskeletal preventive program. Method: Various types of tasks were recorded with a video camera to chart and analyze different postures by OWAS(Ovako Working Posture Analysing System). Collected data showed that poor postures were adopted, not only for lifting or repositoning a patient, but also for other tasks. Data Analysis: The performed activities were then divided into Nursing Intervention Classification. Altogether 128 postures were selected for analysis. Then they were classified into different OAC (OWAS Action Categories). From all the observation, unhealthy postures, for which corrective measures had to be considered immediately (i.e., 75% classified as OACII+III+IV) were found. Collected data were analyzed in terms of percentage, 2-tail Mann-Whitney U test. Result: Poor postures mainly occur during 'positioning the patient' and 'airway suctioning' in NIC. No difference was found (p=0.060) between the percentage of harmful posture adopted during the patient handling tasks and non-patient handling tasks. Conclusion: This study shows, that in the nursing profession with ICU not only occur during patient handling, but also during other activities. The OWAS method was useful in determining the physical load by locating potential activities due to harmfully working postures, providing a detailed description with analysis, and suggesting successful means to reduce postural load.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2023

Background: In modern society, the use of computers accounts for a large proportion of our daily lives. Although substantial research is being actively conducted on musculoskeletal diseases resulting from computer use, there has been a recent surge in interest in improving the working environment for prevention. Objects: This study aimed to examine the effects of posture correction feedback (PCF) on changes in neck posture and muscle activation during computer typing. Methods: The participants performed a computer typing task in two sessions, each lasting 16 minutes. The participant's dominant side was photographed and analyzed using ImageJ software to verify neck posture. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to confirm the participant's cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscle activities. The EMG signal was analyzed using the percentage of reference voluntary contraction and amplitude probability distribution function (APDF). In the second session, visual and auditory feedback for posture correction was provided if the neck was flexed by more than 15° in the initial position during computer typing. A 20-minute rest period was provided between the two sessions. Results: The neck angle (p = 0.014), CES muscle activity (p = 0.008), and APDF (p = 0.015) showed significant differences depending on the presence of the PCF. Furthermore, significant differences were observed regarding the CES muscle activity (p = 0.001) and APDF (p = 0.002) over time. Conclusion: Our study showed that the feedback system can correct poor posture and reduces unnecessary muscle activation during computer work. The improved neck posture and reduced CES muscle activity observed in this study suggest that neck pain can be prevented. Based on these results, we suggest that the PCF system can be used to prevent neck pain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.656-660
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• 2009

Various dynamic models of seated posture human body have been developed because the importance about the ride comfort assessment of vehicles is highly emphasized from day to day. The dynamic models of human body make possible the simulation of ride comfort assessment by applied to the vehicle dynamic model. Recently, the importance of ride comfort is also regarded to working vehicles such as excavators and the research of the ride comfort assessment for working vehicle is required. Only vertical vibration dominantly occurs on the seat of the private car driving with constant velocity. In contrast, vertical/fore-and-aft/pitch vibration seriously occurs on the seat of the working excavator. So, the dynamic models of seated human body applied to working vehicles should describe the dynamic characteristics for vertical/fore-and-aft/pitch direction. In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of seated human body are represented as apparent inertia matrix. The apparent inertia matrix is obtained by the vertical/fore-and-aft/pitch excitation of seated human body. 6 resonance frequencies are observed in apparent inertia matrix. This result can be applied to develop the dynamic model for seated posture human body.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.117-126
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the working posture and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of dental hygienists during scaling. The subjects in this study were 264 selected dental hygienists. A convergence study was implemented using questionnaire that was prepared to cover general characteristics, health care, the work of scaling, working posture and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms. As for data analysis, R 2.15.1 was employed. As a result of analyzing the collected data, the rate of good working posture during scaling stood at 29.9 percent; roughly good posture, at 37.5 percent; incorrect posture, at 32.6 percent. Regarding the area of the body in which they complained of musculoskeletal symptoms, the shoulders were 3.32-fold more mentioned than any other area(OR,3.32;95%CI, 1.58~6.98); the foot, 2.97-fold more(OR,2.97;95%CI, 1.18~7.48); the hands, 2.84-fold more(OR,2.84:95%CI, 1.35~5.98); the neck, 2.82-fold more(OR, 2.82;95%CI, 1.35~5.91); the back, 2.41-fold more(OR,2.41;95%CI, 1.02~5.68). The findings of the study that demonstrate the importance of good working posture are expected to make a contribution to the improvement of work environments, the development of efficient preventive programs and the preparation of sustained educational plans, and it's necessary in the future to make a research study by including psychosocial factors.