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Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the major causes of occupational diseases in the work places and they are the most important cause of disability and absenteeism. For the prevention of these disorders and improvement of working, it is necessary to use ergonomics assessment techniques. This study aimed to assess ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers in Gonabad, Iran, using Postur, Activity, Tools, Handling (PATH) method. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive– analytical study conducted on 72 construction workers in three groups of jobs including brickwork, joinery and foundation in Gonabad, Iran. Sampling was done randomly. Workplace ergonomic assessment was conducted using PATH method and data analysis was performed by SPSS 20 statistical software and presented with descriptive statics. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.44± 10.21 yr, and the average work experience was 9.26 ±7.20 yr. Legs status assessment showed that neutral state labors make up about 46% of the time. In most jobs, about 39% of labors work in a neutral position and about 50% of labors bear more than 15 kg weight during their work, and about 96% of labors spent their time working with elbows above their shoulder. Conclusion: Mostly, in time of working, trunk state of construction workers was in a non-neutral posture and construction workers are exposed to musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, it is necessary to conduct more studies on these topics in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

BACKGROUND: Manual material handling (MMH) task is the most common cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Operators carrying unstable loads were recently shown to be at greater risk of back injury compared to workers carrying stable loads. OBJECTIVE: This study focused on developing a device to minimize trunk muscle activity and cardiovascular demand while handling a 19-liter bottle. METHOD: After evaluating several designs, one was selected to be developed, manufactured and tested through an experimental study. Healthy participants (n = 42) manually carried a 19-liter bottle. The carrying technique (i.e., carrying a lateral load while holding the load using the dominant hand, pulling the load using the developed device, carrying the load on the back using the developing device) was the independent variable. The muscular activities (e.g., neck extensor, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, deltoid medial, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles of the dominant side), cardiac costs, plantar pressures, walking speeds, and subjective measures were the dependent variables. RESULTS: Results show that carrying the developed device like a backpack significantly reduced trunk muscle activity, cardiovascular demand, and plantar pressure compared to the usual practice. The present results suggest that carrying a 19-liter water bottle using the developed device is likely to contribute to lower MSDs. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the develop device recommended to lessen the risk of injury when handling unstable loads such as liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to examine the ergonomic aspects of the design of the Tactical Commander Console (TACCO) in the virtual environment of medium-range twin-engine - Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The analysis was conducted using Jack 6.0 software. The evaluation method used in this study is the Posture Evaluation Index (PEI) method that integrates the results of analysis from three methods: Lower Back Analysis (LBA), Ovako Working Posture Analysis (OWAS), and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the actual design of TACCO and to identify the most ergonomic design configuration, which is reviewed according to the distance and tilt angle of the control panel and the height of the chair. The results of this study show that the optimal ergonomic design for TACCO is as follows: panel at a distance of 10 cm, tilt angle of 60°, and a chair height of 29.5 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are a leading cause of disability, work time loss and economic loss in both industrialized and developing countries. WMSDs include muscles, bones, joints, nerves and blood vessel disorders. According to the studies done by some researchers, the lack of harmony between technology and the technology users in workplace can degrade the product quality and increase the injuries. In the present study, an ergonomic investigation was conducted and the position and posture of the workers of tea factories were evaluated. REBA and OWAS methods were used for analyzing the postures. The energy expenditure of workers was calculated by heart rate monitoring. In this study, 6 tea factories were considered and totally 48 workers were assessed. Production units of tea factories were classified into three categories, including withering unit, curling and oxidation unit and drying and grading unit. Results showed that 75% of used postures by the workers of tea factories need corrective measurements. Also, based on the OWAS results, 34% of used postures had high and very high risk levels. Worker' back flexion, placing one arm above shoulder and standing on one leg are the most important positions in tea factories, which lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, the corrective measurements should be done to reduce them. Withering unit was the most energy-consuming unit for workers. The average of energy expenditure of tea factories workers was 21.843 kJ min-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wood Industry / Drvna Industrija is the property of Drvna Industrija and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the years approach focusing in ergonomics has changed. We still talk about identification - analysis - elimination of the risks on the workplaces. But differences are at the possibilities of modern ergonomics, movement of science and technical possibilities. The options of using a mobile applications, Internet of Things, data gathering and their real time evaluation and their sharing. We present those solutions that combine traditional knowledge and modern technologies. The results are innovative and advanced ergonomic tools based on Industry 4.0 concept. Electronic tools are a new direction in ergonomics. With the support of mobile applications we see a way to create healthy conditions at work for production and also non-production workers, assembly and logistics. At the beginning of 20-th century, majority of us had no idea what the ergonomics is, how many risks occur during our job that they are connected with the health of employees and have not known that special methods and tools for their identification, analysis, evaluation and identification are developed. With the growing development of society we got to stadium when, luckily, majority of companies – employers even know the meaning of ergonomics or work risks, about risks at their workplaces and establish their evaluation and try to eliminate them. We have many methods and tools of modern ergonomics which enable us to realize analysis and optimization of employee's work to their benefit. Considering experience we can surely claim that we know the main problem of these days. It is requisite to realize ergonomic evaluation perfectly, extensively and mainly quickly. Slowness of some solutions discourages managers and directors and makes effective improving of work conditions impossible. The idea of mobile application developing which works as a screening tool came with demands from big companies that have dozens of workplaces and cannot identify work risks by themselves. Ceit ERgonomics Analysis Application, which is described in article, is output of our own research and development. It is a mobile application developed in CEIT Company in collaboration with the University of Žilina and Slovak ergonomic association. It is a screening evaluation of space conditions and work positions of workers at potentially risky workplaces. It is developed at the base of legislation and technical norms, at our own platform, with the support of virtual and augmented reality. The main goal of evaluation by the CERAA usage is to find out if the workplace is risky from the ergonomic view. It is an innovative way of applied augmented reality tools during the ergonomic evaluation of chosen workplaces. Nowadays, the new submodules are being developed. They will identify risks at administrative workplaces, submodule which will evaluate working with loads and other that will evaluate repetitive operations. CERAA is used in several industrial companies in Slovakia and Czech Republic from the second half of 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Producao Online is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Engenharia de Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ergonomic analysis methods and postural assessments assist in preventing work related musculoskeletal injuries. The primary outcome of this is to provide safer workplace environments and reduce the total number of work related injury occurrences. The dedicated marker-or sensor-based 3D motion capture solutions impose a series of portability and cost challenges when applied to work place environments. The Kinect motion recording system, which was introduced in the Xbox game console, provides a marker-less, portable and low-cost motion capture solution. This technology is capable of recording 3D coordinates of a moving body parts with an accuracy comparable to the state of the art systems. This paper investigates the utilisation of Kinect sensors for real time rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) to aid in ergonomic analysis for assembly operations in industrial environments. Unlike earlier similar attempts, the work presented in this paper does not rely on tracking body parts and extracting a kinematically sound skeleton. In this paper, identifying a RULA score is formulated as a semantic segmentation problem. A random decision forest (RDF) classifier is used to give each pixel a different RULA score based on postures captured with a Kinect camera. Results demonstrate a converging accuracy of 93% for the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Computer works are associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). There are several methods have been developed to assess computer work risk factor related to MSDs. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to give an overview of current techniques available for pen-and-paper-based observational methods in assessing ergonomic risk factors of computer work. METHODS: We searched an electronic database for materials from 1992 until 2015. The selected methods were focused on computer work, pen-and-paper observational methods, office risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders. This review was developed to assess the risk factors, reliability and validity of pen-and-paper observational method associated with computer work. Two evaluators independently carried out this review. RESULTS: Seven observational methods used to assess exposure to office risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders were identified. The risk factors involved in current techniques of pen and paper based observational tools were postures, office components, force and repetition. From the seven methods, only five methods had been tested for reliability. They were proven to be reliable and were rated as moderate to good. For the validity testing, from seven methods only four methods were tested and the results are moderate. CONCLUSION: Many observational tools already exist, but no single tool appears to cover all of the risk factors including working posture, office component, force, repetition and office environment at office workstations and computer work. Although the most important factor in developing tool is proper validation of exposure assessment techniques, the existing observational method did not test reliability and validity. Futhermore, this review could provide the researchers with ways on how to improve the pen-and-paper-based observational method for assessing ergonomic risk factors of computer work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prominent issue of the mismatches of children's body dimensions with school furniture has made people realize the essential factors of providing ergonomic furniture. By evaluating rural and urban areas, school furniture can be designed for both areas based on their anthropometrics, thereby combating mismatches. This quantitative study focused on four regions in Malaysia. A total sample of 2,400 primary school children from seven to eleven years old from both rural and urban schools was evaluated. Six anthropometric aspects were measured: stature, subscapular height, shoulder breadth, hip width, buttock popliteal length, and popliteal height. The measurements were evaluated using SPSS, with which T-tests were performed, to evaluate the anthropometric differences between each province. Each region showed different results when its rural and urban areas were compared. This reveals that anthropometrics are different in certain areas, even when they are in the same country. The importance of knowing such matters will help to ease the sizing of products (such as furniture) based on location, hence, making ergonomic products possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women nowadays develop in different areas, in which professional excellence is combined with the personal presentation. In this last aspect, the footwear is a fundamental and indispensable element. With the purpose to offer women not only an aesthetically Acceptable footwear, but also light and flexible, this Work was developed in two stages: the first validated the need to design comfortable and esthetic shoes for the woman of today, By means of a survey of 50 women of different Professions, which travel long distances in their Daily routine and to which were counted the number Of steps that they regularly execute in the day, through an intelligent adjustment band. As a result, it was identified that the heel height and the number of steps in a day are the relevant factors that influence in the pain level of these women's feet at the end of the working day. In this way, in a second stage Ergonomic women's casual shoes were designed to relieve pain and combine the development of a new sole and a Characteristic shoe of a commercial company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In robotic surgery, the professional ergonomic habit of using an armrest reduces operator fatigue and increases the precision of motion. We designed and validated a pressure surveillance system (PSS) based on force sensors to investigate armrest use. The objective was to evaluate whether adding an alarm to the PSS system could shorten ergonomic training and improve performance.Study Design: Twenty robot and simulator-naïve participants were recruited and randomized in two groups (A and B). The PSS was installed on a robotic simulator, the dV-Trainer, to detect contact with the armrest. The Group A members completed three tasks on the dV-Trainer without the alarm, making 15 attempts at each task. The Group B members practiced the first two tasks with the alarm and then completed the final tasks without the alarm. The simulator provided an overall score reflecting the trainees' performance. We used the new concept of an "armrest load" score to describe the ergonomic habit of using the armrest.Results: Group B had a significantly higher performance score (p < 0.001) and armrest load score (p < 0.001) than Group A from the fifth attempt of the first task to the end of the experiment.Conclusions: Based on the conditioned reflex effect, the alarm associated with the PSS rectified ergonomic errors and accelerated professional ergonomic habit acquisition. The combination of the PSS and alarm is effective in significantly shortening the learning curve in the robotic training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For this article the literature was taken from scientific databases as Pub- Med and ClinicalKey, also in journals such as The Journal of the American Medical Association and The American Journal of kidney diseases, of the 58 bibliographies that were found, 50 articles and publications were useful based on the content of the title and the abstract, in which it was found that stay in a sitting position for long periods of time has been regarded as sedentary lifestyle, this creates discomfort on bone and muscles and also has implications for the cardiovascular, renal and musculoskeletal system, beside metabolic alterations and even compromise the patient's mental status. Many solutions have been raised to this problem, as increased physical activity and improvements in ergonomics places of study, work or general environments where patients remain seated for more than 8 hours. Making changes against the postural activity and the extension of it, not only avoid the risks mentioned above, but also reduces fatigue levels, postprandial glucose values can be reduce by 16% and prevent atherosclerotic activity, all of this providing a better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The common work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) among medical profession are pain in neck, elbow, shoulder wrist and back. Sonographers are more vulnerable to develop WRMDs as their work demands series of awkward repetitive movements. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and to identify factors that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders among sonologists of Sindh Province Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: This questionnaire based study conducted at the Department of Radiology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences. The target population chosen for this study was sonologists from the Sind province of Pakistan. SPSS used to analyze the data, results presented as frequency for categorical variables and as mean for continuous variables. To identify predictor variable for WRMDs, multiple bivariate regression analysis was performed, the level of significant was set at P <0.05. RESULTS: Among 145 participants, 53.80% were University employed, while 56.54 were performing ultrasonography up to 10 hours. The prevalence of WRMDs disorder in this series was 75.17%, the mean duration of symptoms was 30.48 months. 45.9% reported it as severe. WRMDs were more prevalent and severe in those doing scanning of both abdomen and Obstetric. The Low back ache is the most common site of WRMDs found in this series (53.21%, n=58), followed by neck ache (24.77%) wrist joint (8.25%), finger (7.33%) and shoulder (6.42%). The result of bivariate analysis showed that severity of WRMDs correlated statistically significantly with primary area of expertise, duration of WRMDs, working experience and working hours. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMDs and its severity is significantly high among Sonographers of Sindh province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neck pain is a widespread medical condition among office workers worldwide. This study aimed to compare physical exercises, including basic body awareness, neck-specific training exercises and ergonomic modifications, and ergonomic modifications alone in the management of chronic non-specific neck pain (NSNP) among office workers. Sixty participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (physical exercises and ergonomic modifications) or a control group (ergonomic modifications) and received the intervention two times a week for eight weeks. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Health and Safety Stress Tool, and Short Form Health Survey-36 were used to measure pain, disability, job stress, and quality of life at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 8 of the study period. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the within-group significant differences and an independent t -test was utilized to compare group differences. The baseline data of the experimental and control groups showed no significant difference ( p ≥ 0.05). The 2 × 3 mixed models ANOVA showed a significant difference in pain intensity ( p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.042), functional disability ( p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.052), work-related stress ( p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.036), and QoL ( p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in clinical outcomes following the application of physical exercises with ergonomic modifications for chronic NSNP among office workers. This is significant for office workers because it suggests the importance of incorporating physical exercises into their daily routine and making ergonomic changes to their workspaces.ηp 2 = 0.025). Four weeks post-intervention, the experimental group showed significant changes in primary (pain intensity and disability) (1.9; 95% confidence interval 1.65-2.14) and secondary (quality of life and work-related stress) outcomes ( p < 0.001). The same gradual improvement in these variables was observed in the 8-week follow-up ( p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in clinical outcomes following the application of physical exercises with ergonomic modifications for chronic NSNP among office workers. This is significant for office workers because it suggests the importance of incorporating physical exercises into their daily routine and making ergonomic changes to their workspaces.

Objective: Lower-limb exoskeleton systems are defined as gait training or walking-assisting devices for spinal cord injury or hemiplegic patients. Crutches, straps, and baffles are designed to protect subjects from falling. However, skin abrasions occur when the interaction forces are too large. In this study, the interaction forces between the human body and an exoskeleton system named the AIDER were measured to confirm whether the design was ergonomic., Background: The AIDER system is a wearable lower-limb exoskeleton. It secures a subject by binding on the waist, thighs, shanks, and feet., Method: Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. The interaction forces of the waist strap, thigh baffles, shank baffles, and crutch handles were measured by pressure sensors. Ten repetitions were completed in this study. After one repetition, custom comfort questionnaires were completed by the subjects., Results: Although a few of the peak values of the maximum intensities of pressure between the hands and crutch handles reached the minimum value of the pain-pressure threshold (PPT), the average pressure intensities were much smaller than the PPT value., Conclusions: The results indicated that the mechanical structure and control strategy of the AIDER must be improved to be more ergonomic in the future.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major health issue for low-income countries because of their high prevalence among workers and on account of the scarcity of ergonomic preventative measures in the workplace., Objectives: To determine the prevalence of WRMSDs among weavers, assess their consequences, and analyse the associated occupational risk factors., Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 257 handloom weavers using the Nordic questionnaireand the working conditions were assessed through a descriptive analysis using the key indicator method., Results: The WRMSDs annual prevalence was 85% in all parts of the body, 71% for the low back region, 41% for the shoulders, and 37% for the knees. One quarter of the weavers indicated having stopped work for 1-30 days because of their low back pain (LBP). The prevalence of WRMSDs was associated with the number of hours worked per day, the years of experience, and age. Long working hours, load carrying (> 20 kg - 25 kg), awkward postures, repetitive limb movements, and unfavourable environmental conditions were identified as occupational risk factors., Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among weavers and LBP is the most frequently cited disorder and the primary reason for work interruptions and a decrease of activities. The prevalence of WRMSDs is associated with professional and personal factors. Actions based on ergonomic rules are necessary to prevent WRMSDs., Clinical Implications: Our study highlights the issue of WRMSDs and the need for prevention in the informal sector, which constitutes the major part of economic activity in low-income countries., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article, (© 2023. The Authors.)

Objectives. The aim of this study was to develop a scale that assesses postural awareness and habits, as well as to establish the validity and reliability thereof. Methods . The 19-item postural habits and awareness scale (PHAS) was developed. The scale has a score range of 0-95, with a higher score indicating good posture and awareness. A total of 278 healthy adults with an age range of 18-65 years were included in the study. The sociodemographic form, short form 36 health survey (SF-36) and body awareness questionnaire (BAQ) were used to test the validity and reliability of this newly developed scale. Results . From factor analyses, it was observed that the items clustered into four factors, which explained 55.99% of the variance. Cronbach's α for each factor of the scale varied between 0.619 and 0.832. A high correlation was observed regarding test-retest reliability of the scale ( r  = 0.905). Conclusion. This newly developed self-reported scale allows for the comprehensive determination of both postural habits and awareness together. The PHAS is a valid and reliable scale that can be used by professionals who are interested in posture.

Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders are a major part of occupational diseases in working environments. Prevention of the occurrence of these problems requires the use of ergonomic assessment techniques and intervention to improve working conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in workers in the blast furnace unit and the intervention to reduce the prevalence of these disorders. Materials & Methods: This study conducted on 24 people working in the furnace unit. Medical records of furnace workers were reviewed and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ) was completed. Drilling operation and oxygenation task were assessed by using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and workers were given the necessary training. Work stations of oxygenation for 24 workers were redesign and Drilling operation was mechanized. And employed workers with musculoskeletal disorders were changed. REBA and NMQ were used to reassess the intervention effects. Results: According to medical records and results of NMQ about 37.5 percent of workers had musculoskeletal disorders. REBA final score was 11 and 10 for the drilling and oxygenation tasks respectively. After redesigning the workstation, REBA final score was 5 for the oxygenation task and the drilling operation removed by mechanized. With the amendment procedures of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced 17.5 percent. Conclusion: According to REBA Score, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced by implementing amendments to the furnace unit and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders also significantly reduced. Keyword: Ergonomic, MSDs, REBA, NMQ, Steel

Objectives:To determine the magnitude, distribution and associated ergonomic factors of upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSD) among workers of electronic assembly in Thailand. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. 591 of 853 workers in an electronic and electrical appliance assembly factory in Bangkok, Thailand, participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic data and ergonomic factors was collected from October 2010 to January 2011. Clinical examination of each worker was performed by an occupational physician. The criteria for diagnosis of UEMSD came as a result of a consensus reached by a group of orthopedists. The associated factors were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression. Results: The point prevalence of clinically diagnosed UEMSD was as follows: radial styloid tenosynovitis - 13.03% (95% CI: 10.31-15.75), trigger finger - 9.48% (95% CI: 7.11-11.84), carpal tunnel syndrome - 8.12% (95% CI: 5.91-10.33), lateral epicondylitis - 3.38% (95% CI: 1.92-4.85), and medial epicondylitis - 1.69% (95% CI: 0.65-2.73), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio with statistical significance associated with UEMSD was as follows: high force of wrist - 1.78 (95% CI: 1.06-2.99), awkward posture of wrist - 2.37 (95% CI: 1.28-4.37) and contact stress at wrists - 1.75 (95% CI: 1.02-3.00) to develop radial styloid tenosynovitis. For trigger finger, the ratios were awkward posture of fingers - 2.09 (95% CI: 1.12-3.90) and contact stress on finger - 1.86 (95% CI: 1.04-3.34). For medial epicondylitis, it was an awkward posture of using elbows - 3.14 (95% CI: 1.10-8.95). However, this study did not find any associations between repetitive motion and any UEMSD. Conclusions: UEMSD are most commonly found in electronic assembly workers. The relevant parties should provide comprehensive ergonomic resolution for these workers.

Background and aims : The most important factors that influence human performance are accuracy, speed and ability to perform the skills by individuals. Given the importance of human productivity in improving the production and quality, This study examines the impact of noise on error rate, speed and ability to perform the manual skills. Methods : This experimental study was conducted on 96 students. Sampling was conducted with a Randomized block design. Controlling exposure factors of sound intensity and duration of exposure, the accuracy and speed of performance of the test subjects were evaluated using Two-hand coordination test. Data was analyzed by SPSS18 software using descriptive and analytical statistical methods by ANCOVA repeated measure. Results : The results showed that the increasing of sound level pressure from 65 dBA to 95 dBA increased the work speed significantly (P

Evaluation an etiological modelwith psychosocial and occupational risk factors has applied implication fortherapeutic intervention. This research was aimed to investigate psychosocialand occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal pains among computer users inSemnan Province of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 324 computerusers from governmental offices and private industrial/organizationalinstitutes in the province were enrolled by random sampling at the age of 25 to63 yr old. Data were collected by Demographical-Occupational and Musculoskeletalpains history Questionnaire and a set of specialist-validated questions, theDepression Anxiety Stress Scales, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and theMultidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Gathered data were examinedvia binary logistic regression analysis. The mean age was 39.76±7.77 years,48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Age, duration of occupation, dailycomputer usage, incorrect body posture, work overload, poor ergonomicknowledge, social support, alexithymia, depression and somatization were significantly associated withmusculoskeletal pains (p

Para a prática instrumental há necessidade de acessórios, como a partitura e estante. Assim como em computadores, o trabalho dos músicos necessita ajustes para que posturas desnecessárias não sejam adotadas ao longo da jornada das atividades, causando fadiga ou problemas futuros. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distância visual, o ângulo visual, a altura da partitura musical e o ângulo cervical de 11 músicos de cordas (violino e viola). Os resultados apresentaram associação entre o ângulo visual e a distância e a altura da partitura, assim como a distância visual com a altura da partitura. Os resultados foram de 100,23±5,46 cm para a altura da partitura, 89,36±8,22 cm para a distância visual, 9,23±0,79° para o ângulo visual e 49,86±5,71° para o ângulo da cervical. Apenas o ângulo da cervical estava fora dos padrões recomendados (indicação máxima de 30º) e deve ser analisado com maior profundidade em estudos futuros. Conforme o ritmo, novas obras, troca de acessórios e/ou instrumento, estas dimensões poderão ser modificadas, mas sem interferir nas condições visuais, físicas e de conforto. As dimensões estiveram dentro dos limites recomendados pela ergonomia.For the instrumental practice there are accessories needs, as the musical score and shelf. As well as in computers, the musicians' work needs fittings so that unnecessary postures are not adopted along the day of the activities, causing fatigue or future problems. The objective this study was to evaluate the visual distance, the visual angle, the height of the musical scores and cervical angle in 11 string musicians (violin and viola). The results presented association between the visual angle and the distance and the height of the musical score, as well as the visual distance with the height of the musical score. The results went of 100.23±5.46 cm to the height of the musical score, 89.36±8.22 cm for the visual distance, 9.23±0.79° for the visual angle and 49.86±5.71° for the cervical angle. Only the cervical angle was out of the recommended patterns (maximum indication 30°) and should be analyzed in greater depth in future studies. According to the rhythm, new works, accessory and/or instrument changes, these dimensions can be modified, but without interfere in the visual conditions, physics and comfort. The dimensions are inside of the limits recommended by ergonomics.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to examine the effects of a backrest: using a prototype of a lumbar support presented in author's earlier study on the discomfort rating of the body parts of motorcyclist. METHODS: One hundred motorcyclists participated in this study, all in good physical condition and with no immediate complaint of musculoskeletal disorders. Each participant was asked to sit for 2 hours on a motorcycle in two different sessions (with and without the lumbar support) in a controlled room environment. At every 15 minutes interval the participants were required to rate their discomfort level on the Borg's CR-10 questionnaire. RESULTS: The rate of discomfort level (in all body parts) decreased over time during the testing period with the prototype. In terms of the discomfort 'break point', participants identified low back and upper back as the most affected body parts prior to comfort changes during the testing period with the use of the prototype. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this prototype provides a protective mechanism for the motorcyclist's musculoskeletal system, particularly the spinal column. Therefore, this prototype is capable of providing ideal posture while simultaneously enhancing the comfortability of the motorcyclist during the riding process (by reducing discomfort).OBJETIVO: O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar os efeitos de um encosto, usando um protótipo de um apoio lombar apresentado em estudo anterior do autor sobre a avaliação de desconforto das partes do corpo do motociclista. MÉTODOS: Cem motociclistas participaram neste estudo, todos em boas condições físicas e sem queixa imediata de lesões músculo-esqueléticas. Cada participante foi convidado a se sentar por 2 horas em uma moto em duas sessões diferentes (com e sem o apoio lombar) em uma sala com ambiente controlado. A cada intervalo de 15 minutos, os participantes foram solicitados a classificar o seu nível de desconforto no questionário de Borg CR-10. RESULTADOS: A taxa de nível de desconforto (em todas as partes do corpo) diminuiu ao longo do tempo durante o período de testes com o protótipo. Em termos de "ponto de ruptura" do desconforto, os participantes identificaram as partes lombar e superior das costas como as mais afetadas do corpo, antes das alterações de conforto durante o período de teste, com o uso do protótipo. CONCLUSÕES: O uso deste protótipo fornece um mecanismo de proteção para o sistema músculo-esquelético do motociclista, principalmente a coluna vertebral. Portanto, este protótipo é capaz de proporcionar a postura ideal, simultaneamente melhorando o conforto do motociclista, enquanto está pilotando a moto (reduzindo o desconforto) durante o seu uso.