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Introduction of more non-computer tasks has been suggested to increase exposure variation and thus reduce musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) in computer-intensive office work. This study investigated whether muscle activity did, indeed, differ between computer and non-computer activities. Whole-day logs of input device use in 30 office workers were used to identify computer and non-computer work, using a range of classification thresholds (non-computer thresholds (NCTs)). Exposure during these activities was assessed by bilateral electromyography recordings from the upper trapezius and lower arm. Contrasts in muscle activity between computer and non-computer work were distinct but small, even at the individualised, optimal NCT. Using an average group-based NCT resulted in less contrast, even in smaller subgroups defined by job function or MSC. Thus, computer activity logs should be used cautiously as proxies of biomechanical exposure. Conventional non-computer tasks may have a limited potential to increase variation in muscle activity during computer-intensive office work.

Though surface electromyography (EMG) has been widely used in studies of occupational exposure, its precision in terms of the variance between-days and between-subjects has seldom been evaluated. This study aimed at such an evaluation. Six women performed three different work tasks: 'materials picking', 'light assembly', and 'heavy assembly', repeated on 3 different days. EMG was recorded from m. trapezius, m. infraspinatus and the forearm extensors. Normalisation was made to a maximal (MVE), and a submaximal (RVE), reference contraction. Variance components between days (within subjects) and between subjects were derived for the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles, as well as for muscular rest parameters. For the task 'heavy assembly', the coefficient of variation between days (CV(BD)) was 8% for m. trapezius (right side, 50th percentile, MVE normalised values). Larger variabilities were found for m. infraspinatus (CV(BD) 15%), and the forearm extensors (CV(BD) 33%). Between-subjects variability (CV(BS)) was greater, 16% for m. trapezius and 57% for m. infraspinatus, 29% for the forearm extensors. RVE normalisation resulted in larger CV(BD), while reducing CV(BS). The between-days and between-subjects variability may be used to optimise sampling strategy, and to assess the bias in epidemiological studies. The bias caused by measurement procedures per se is acceptable.

Three work station design studies in forestry machines were carried out with regard to shoulder/arm muscle load. (1) In an arm rest study, a movable (in the sagittal plane) arm rest was compared with a fixed one; (2) in a lever study, a mini lever with a small deflection was compared with an ordinary hand lever; (3) in a boom control study, a computer controlled boom system was compared with an ordinary boom system. In the arm rest study eight male subjects carried out lever operations in the laboratory. In the lever and boom studies, 15 male forestry students operated forwarders. Muscle load, cycle time, skill, perceived exertion, heart rate and preferred set up were recorded. The muscle loads on the upper trapezius, infraspinatus, extensor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis were recorded by electromyography. With mini lever and movable arm rest the upper trapezius load was reduced with preserved or decreased cycle time, although the grand mean of the 'static' load level was only about 2% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and the effects of the new designs were small (about 0.7% MVC). The subjects preferred the lever/arm rest also giving the lowest muscle load. No differences between levers or arm rests were found in skill, perceived exertion or heart rate. It was not possible to draw any definitive conclusions regarding effects of the boom control system, due to technical problems. According to the literature, the duration of lever operation has increased considerably in forestry during recent years as part of a rationalization process. Partly due to this, it is suggested that the investigated work station improvements may not be sufficient to eliminate the risk for shoulder-neck disorders.

Ten females (25-50 years of age) performed isometric shoulder flexions, holding the right arm straight and in a horizontal position. The subjects were able to see the rectified surface electromyogram (EMG) from either one of two electrode pairs above the upper trapezius muscle and were instructed to keep its amplitude constant for 15 min while gradually unloading the arm against a support. The EMG electrodes were placed at positions representing a "cranial" and a "caudal" region of the muscle suggested previously to possess different functional properties. During the two contractions, recordings were made of: (1) EMG root mean square-amplitude and zero crossing (ZC) frequency from both electrode pairs on the trapezius as well as from the anterior part of the deltoideus, (2) supportive force, (3) heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and (4) perceived fatigue. The median responses during the cranial isoelectric contraction were small as compared to those reported previously in the literature: changes in exerted glenohumeral torque and ZC rate of the isoelectric EMG signal of -2.81% x min(-1) (P = 0.003) and 0.03% x min(-1) (P = 0.54), respectively, and increases in HR and MAP of 0.14 beats x min(-2) (P = 0.10) and 0.06 mmHg x min(-1) (P = 0.33), respectively. During the contraction with constant caudal EMG amplitude, the corresponding median responses were -2.51% x min(-1) (torque), 0.01% x min(-1) (ZC rate), 0.31 beats x min(-2) (HR), and 0.93 mmHg x min(-1) (MAP); P = 0.001, 0.69, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively. Considerable deviations from the "isoelectric" target amplitude were common for both contractions. Individuals differed markedly in response, and three distinct subgroups of subjects were identified using cluster analysis. These groups are suggested to represent different motor control scenarios, including differential engagement of subdivisions of the upper trapezius, alternating motor unit recruitment and, in one group, a gradual transition towards a greater involvement of type II motor units. The results indicate that prolonged low-level contractions of the shoulder muscles may in general be accomplished with a moderate metabolic stress, but also that neuromuscular adaptation strategies differ significantly between individuals. These results may help to explain why occupational shoulder-neck loads of long duration cause musculoskeletal disorders in some subjects but not in others.