Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2005 Dec;17(4):267-277.

Risk Factor Assessment Using Surface Electromyography and Electrogoniometer among Automobile Part Manufacturers

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Preventive and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University.
  • 2Department of Occupational Medicine, Masan Samsung Hospital. hoonji2@hanmail.net
  • 3Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Inje University.
  • 4Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
As automobile part manufacturing is characterized by high speed and high repetition, observation methods which are usually utilized for static posture are inappropriate to evaluate musculoskeleatal risk factors. This study quantified the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders on the forearm and suggested exposure limits by estimating the risk factors using surface electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometer.
METHODS
Ten percent of the total workers at 3 automobile part manufacturing factories were randomly selected, and 99 male workers were recruited as study subjects. The study was conducted during May 2003 to September 2004. The workers were equipped with electrogoniometers on the wrist and the elbow, surface EMGs on the skin of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles, and the heart beat recorder during work as indicators of joint movement, local muscle tension and physical work load, respectively.
RESULTS
After controlling for age, body mass index and job stress, wrist flexion maximum angle, FDS relative activity (RA) and ECR RA were significantly associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. The odds ratios of the forearm were 5.0(95% CI: 1.1-22.7), 14.0(95% CI: 1.5-128.8) and 7.3(95% CI: 1.1-49.4) for wrist flexion maximum angle more than 76 degrees, FDS RA more than 2.8%, and ECR RA more than 3.5%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Joint angle and focal muscle activity were associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. To reduce forearm musculoskeletal symptoms among automobile part manufacturers, the wrist flexion angle, and FDS and ECR activity need to be reduced below the guidelines recommended in this study.

Keyword

Automobile; Musculoskeletal disorders; Surface electromyography; Electrogoniometer

MeSH Terms

Automobiles*
Body Mass Index
Elbow
Electromyography*
Forearm
Heart
Humans
Joints
Male
Muscle Tonus
Muscles
Odds Ratio
Posture
Risk Factors*
Skin
Wrist
Full Text Links
  • KJOEM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr