Review
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Alexander Lunin, Christoph H. Glock
Summary: This paper discusses the increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) faced by older workers in production and logistics environments, and how improvements in working conditions and the use of markerless motion capturing technology can help lower MSD risks. Researchers and practitioners can benefit from the review in developing and evaluating Kinect-based systems for ergonomic evaluation of workplaces and improvement of working conditions.
COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Colleen Brents, Molly Hischke, Raoul Reiser, John Rosecrance
Summary: Craft brewing is a fast-growing industry in the U.S., but workers often exhibit awkward trunk postures while handling kegs, potentially leading to back pain and injury. Design recommendations were identified from the study results to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among craft brewery workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Emily S. Matijevich, Peter Volgyesi, Karl E. Zelik
Summary: The study identified trunk IMU and pressure insoles as key sensors for accurately monitoring low back loading, with the potential to provide a practical, accurate, and automated way to monitor lumbar moments. Thigh or pelvis IMUs could be used as substitutes for the trunk IMU, but there was no practical substitute for the pressure insoles in achieving accurate lumbar load estimates in the real world.
Review
Engineering, Industrial
Christoph H. Glock, Eric H. Grosse, W. Patrick Neumann, Andrew Feldman
Summary: This paper evaluates how technical assistive devices for manual materials handling were analysed in the literature in a warehousing context, identifying works that discuss the economic and/or human factors impact of such devices. The evaluation shows which types of assistive devices were analyzed in the past and from which perspectives they were examined. Some works focused on operator well-being or efficiency, while others analyzed the devices' performance in terms of both dimensions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Giulia Bassani, Alessandro Filippeschi, Carlo Alberto Avizzano
Summary: Manual material handling activities are a significant part of tasks in the tertiary sector, and monitoring, modeling, and predicting human behaviors are essential for creating efficient human-robot collaboration and physical exposure assessment systems. The combined use of wearable sensors and machine learning techniques, such as IMUs and sEMG, can provide data for biomechanical analyses and ergonomic risk assessments.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Antoine Muller, Hakim Mecheri, Philippe Corbeil, Andre Plamondon, Xavier Robert-Lachaine
Summary: Inertial motion capture (IMC) has gained popularity in ergonomic studies in the workplace. This study aims to develop and evaluate an IMC-based approach to estimate back loading during manual material handling tasks. The results show that this approach can accurately estimate flexion and asymmetric moments, providing a new method for ergonomic evaluation in the workplace.
Article
Agronomy
Margherita Micheletti Cremasco, Lucia Vigoroso, Federica Caffaro, Giuseppe Paletto, Eugenio Cavallo
Summary: The study redesigned the rear-mounted FROPS to fit different human anthropometric percentiles for better use. By proposing a rod as a design solution, the roll-bar reachability was increased, especially benefiting shorter users.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Yaar Harari, Avital Bechar, Simone Asci, Raziel Riemer
Summary: The study found that neglecting dynamic movements and using only quasistatic models for industrial manual handling tasks may underestimate spinal loading, increasing pressure on the lower back.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Srimantha E. Mudiyanselage, Phuong Hoang Dat Nguyen, Mohammad Sadra Rajabi, Reza Akhavian
Summary: This study evaluates the ability to automatically detect body movements that may harm muscles during material handling using surface electromyogram (EMG)-based systems and machine learning algorithms. Results indicate that Decision Tree models have the potential to predict the risk level with close to 99.35% accuracy.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Remy Hubaut, Romain Guichard, Julia Greenfield, Mathias Blandeau
Summary: Musculoskeletal disorders are a growing problem in European workplaces. This study evaluates the use of inertial measurement units (IMU) in the workplace and compares them to a reference system. Results show good agreement between IMU and VICON systems for angle measurements. EMG and VAS are both valuable means to assess effort during tasks.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Riccardo Bezzini, Luca Crosato, Massimo Teppati Lose, Carlo Alberto Avizzano, Massimo Bergamasco, Alessandro Filippeschi
Summary: Despite automation in many industrial and logistics processes, manual handling of loads by human workers still contributes to work-related disorders. Biomechanical analysis of these activities is essential for estimating the biomechanical overload and implementing prevention measures. This study proposes a fully wearable sensor system, aided by deep learning, for real-time evaluation of the biomechanical effort exerted during manual material handling. The system utilizes an algorithm implemented in ROS for analyzing human musculoskeletal biomechanics and a method for estimating load distribution using an egocentric camera and deep learning-based object recognition. The results demonstrate the system's accuracy and robustness in object detection and grasp recognition, making it suitable for logistics applications.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Bart Lagerwaard, Arie G. Nieuwenhuizen, Annelies Bunschoten, Vincent C. J. Boer, Jaap Keijer
Summary: The study compared the transcriptome signatures of the vastus lateralis muscle in healthy older and young males with similar physical activity patterns, and found significant differences at the protein level, including downregulation of mitochondrial function and upregulation of inflammation processes. Despite similar physical activity levels, early affected physiological processes were observed in the elderly muscle.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Qi Zhang, Qiurong Xie, Hong Liu, Bo Sheng, Shuping Xiong, Yanxin Zhang
Summary: The objective of this pilot study was to identify risk factors in physical therapy by quantitatively analyzing ergonomic postures and biomechanical movements. The study found that the low back compression forces of different patient handling tasks exceeded the safety threshold, indicating high risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Antonio Scarfone, Rodolfo Picchio, Angelo del Giudice, Francesco Latterini, Paolo Mattei, Enrico Santangelo, Alberto Assirelli
Summary: The use of digital systems in precision agriculture is increasingly attractive for farmers at every level, but the lack of scientific data to demonstrate quantifiable advantages is slowing down the transition. The starting point of precision agriculture is considered to be the introduction of satellite tractor guidance.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cameron A. Nurse, Laura Jade Elstub, Peter Volgyesi, Karl E. Zelik
Summary: Wearable sensors, such as IMUs and pressure insoles, can enhance the ergonomic assessment of LBD risks during material handling. This study explores the accuracy of combining trunk motion and under-the-foot force data in estimating LBD risk, as well as the improvement compared to using trunk motion alone. The results indicate that the combination of trunk IMU and pressure insoles with trained algorithms can accurately assess LBD risks, questioning the adequacy of a single IMU for such assessments.
Article
Neurosciences
Ronelle Calver, Talia Alenabi, Alan Cudlip, Clark R. Dickerson, Prosanta Mondal, Soo Y. Kim
Summary: Growing evidence suggests the existence of distinct anatomical sub-regions within supraspinatus and infraspinatus. This study investigated the muscle activity within these sub-regions during different tasks and found differences in activation ratios depending on arm posture. These findings may have implications for exercise selection in the non-operative management of rotator cuff tears.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Angelica E. Lang, Soo Y. Kim, Stephan Milosavljevic, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: This study investigated the utility of the acromion marker cluster (AMC) method in tracking scapular motion in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and age-matched controls. The results showed that the double calibration (DC) method improved the estimation of scapular orientation compared to the single calibration (SC) method, especially at higher arm elevations. The study suggests that the AMC method with DC is a non-invasive and accurate method for measuring scapular motion in BCS and controls.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jacquelyn M. Maciukiewicz, Tea Lulic, Kimberly L. MacKay, Kimberly A. Meszaros, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate differences in commonly monitored shoulder muscles using normalized sEMG amplitude between maximal exertions at different hand locations and across force exertion directions relative to standard MVCs. The results showed that normalizing location specific maximal exertions to standard MVCs underestimated maximal activity across most tasks in all shoulder muscles tested, except for overestimation of latissimus dorsi amplitudes in the low right hand location.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Clark R. Dickerson, Alison C. McDonald, Jaclyn N. Chopp-Hurley
Summary: This review examines the biomechanical origins of occupational shoulder damage and highlights the importance of integrating shoulder mechanics into workplace assessments and interventions.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Tasha C. McFarland, Alison C. McDonald, Rachel L. Whittaker, Jack P. Callaghan, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: This study found that using upper limb exoskeletons under different support conditions modestly affected some joint movements, while also reducing perceived exertion and discomfort, but did not have an impact on task duration.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Rachel L. Whittaker, Talia Alenabi, Soo Y. Kim, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: This study investigated the regional muscle activity of supraspinatus and infraspinatus during shoulder rehabilitation exercises involving external rotation. The results showed that posture and intensity had an impact on muscle activity in different regions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in shoulder rehabilitation protocols.
SPORTS HEALTH-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Angelica E. Lang, Stephan Milosavljevic, Clark R. Dickerson, Catherine M. Trask, Soo Y. Kim
Summary: Breast cancer survivors may experience kinematic alterations in scapular motion during an overhead reach task, which may increase the risk of developing rotator cuff disease. The type of surgery and the presence of impingement pain were found to have significant effects on scapular kinematics. These alterations may worsen over time.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Run Ze Gao, Vivian Ngoc Tram Mai, Nicholas Levinski, Jacqueline Mary Kormylo, Robin Ward Murdock, Clark R. Dickerson, Carolyn L. Ren
Summary: This paper presents a proof of concept for a novel air microfluidics-enabled soft robotic sleeve, which aims to improve the treatment of lymphedema. The sleeve utilizes light, small, and inexpensive air microfluidic chips to provide sequential inflation and uniform deflation, generating intentional gradient compression for improved lymph fluid circulation. It offers improved wearability, reduced noise, and energy consumption compared to traditional compression sleeves. The system's cost, simplicity, and scalability are also detailed.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jacquelyn M. Maciukiewicz, Ayah T. S. Hussein, Marina Mourtzakis, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: Breast cancer treatments can impair the upper limb function of survivors, reducing strength and range of motion. This study found that survivors who were further from treatment had decreased range of motion and force production compared to those who were closer to treatment. The findings suggest that the effects of treatment may manifest in a delayed manner.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Jeff M. Barrett, Colin D. McKinnon, Clark R. Dickerson, Andrew C. Laing, Jack P. Callaghan
Summary: Between 43 and 97% of helicopter pilots in the Canadian Armed Forces experience neck pain, which may be attributed to the weight of their equipment and deviated neck postures. This study investigates the changes in neck loads associated with different postures, helmets, night vision goggles, and counterweights. The findings suggest that repositioning the center of gravity of the helmet can affect loading in different postures, highlighting the importance of considering weight distribution in helmet design.
AEROSPACE MEDICINE AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Jeff M. Barrett, Laura A. Healey, Colin D. McKinnon, Andrew C. Laing, Clark R. Dickerson, Steven L. Fischer, Jack P. Callaghan
Summary: Occupations or activities involving head-supported mass (HSM) increase the risk of chronic neck pain. The study tested four hypotheses regarding the factors influencing neck loads from HSM. The results supported three hypotheses, indicating that HSM affects neck loads through increased gravitational moments, muscle activation, and the position of HSM's center of mass.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Ryan A. Williams, Karah J. Dring, John G. Morris, Feng-Hua Sun, Simon B. Cooper
Summary: The present study investigated the agreement and equivalence between two different methods of processing physical activity data. Data were collected from 161 Hong-Kong adolescents who wore an Actigraph GT3XBT device on their non-dominant wrist for 7 days. Using different processing methods, time spent sedentary and engaged in different levels of physical activity were calculated. Results showed varying levels of agreement and consistency between the two methods, suggesting that the choice of processing method significantly affects estimates of youth physical activity.
JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Kathleen F. E. MacLean, Joseph E. Langenderfer, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: Computational musculoskeletal modeling is a valuable method for studying biological systems in physical anthropology. This study used probabilistic modeling to examine if there is overlap in rotator cuff muscle force predictions between humans and chimpanzees during an evolutionarily relevant arm suspension task. Novel probabilistic models of the human and chimpanzee glenohumeral joint were created, and musculoskeletal features of interest were modeled to produce distributions of predicted muscle force.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rebecca A. M. Wills, Jacquelyn M. Maciukiewicz, Marina Mourtzakis, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 females with an 89% 5-year survival rate. 72% of breast cancer survivors have difficulty with daily activities post-treatment. This study examined the impact of time-from-treatment on upper extremity kinematics during daily activities in breast cancer survivors, finding decreased arm movement ranges with increased time-from-treatment, indicating compensatory movement strategies.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Ergonomics
Karen Y. Ma, Alicia L. Nadon, Alison C. McDonald, Clark R. Dickerson
Summary: This study investigated the influence of lift training on joint moments and muscular demand trade-offs between the lower back and shoulders during manual materials handling tasks. The results showed that the evaluated lifting techniques protected the shoulders more and led to decreased muscle activity and perceived exertion values.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS
(2022)