Changes in Neck and Shoulder Muscles Fatigue Threshold When Using a Passive Head/Neck Supporting Exoskeleton During Repetitive Overhead Tasks.

IF 2.9 3区心理学 Q1 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Human Factors Pub Date : 2024-10-01 Epub Date: 2023-11-13 DOI:10.1177/00187208231213728

Ehsan Garosi, Zeinab Kazemi, Adel Mazloumi, Ahmadreza Keihani

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a head/neck supporting exoskeleton (HNSE) on the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMG_FT) of the neck and shoulder muscles during a simulated overhead work task.

Background: Overhead work is a well-known risk factor for neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders due to the excessive strain imposed on the muscles and joints in these regions.

Method: Fourteen healthy males performed a repetitive overhead nut fastening/unfastening task to exhaustion while wearing and not wearing the HNSE at two neck extension angles (40% and 80% of neck maximum range of motion). Electromyographic signals were continuously recorded from the right and left sternocleidomastoid (SCMR, SCML), splenius capitis (SCR, SCL), upper trapezius (UTR, UTL), and anterior deltoid (ADR, ADL) muscles. The normalized electromyographic amplitude (nEMG) data was time normalized, and a bisegmental linear regression was applied to determine the muscle fatigue break point.

Results: The results showed a significant increase in fatigue threshold time in the SCMR (p < .001), SCML (p = .002), and UTR (p = .037) muscles when the HNSE was used. However, the EMG_FT times for the right and left deltoid and left trapezius muscles showed a nonsignificant reduction due to the head/neck support exoskeleton use. In addition, the neck extension angle did not reveal a significant effect on muscles' EMG_FT time.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings confirmed a significant delay in fatigue onset in sternocleidomastoid muscles, as measured by the electromyographic fatigue threshold. This finding suggests that the HNSE can be an effective ergonomic intervention for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in overhead workers. However, further studies are needed to investigate the effect of the HNSE at other neck extension angles and more realistic tasks to ensure the generalizability of our results.

Application: The present findings emphasize the application of the fatigue onset time to evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions, including exoskeletons, which can subsequently be utilized to alleviate postural demands and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

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在重复性头顶任务中使用被动头颈支撑外骨骼时颈部和肩部肌肉疲劳阈值的变化。

目的:本研究旨在探讨头颈支撑外骨骼(HNSE)在模拟头顶工作任务中对颈部和肩部肌肉肌电疲劳阈值(EMGFT)的影响。背景:头顶工作是众所周知的颈部和肩部肌肉骨骼疾病的危险因素，因为这些区域的肌肉和关节受到过度的压力。方法:14名健康男性在两个颈部伸展角度(颈部最大活动范围的40%和80%)佩戴和不佩戴HNSE时，进行重复的头顶螺母紧固/解开任务，直至精疲力竭。连续记录左、右胸锁乳突肌(SCMR、SCML)、头脾肌(SCR、SCL)、上斜方肌(UTR、UTL)、三角肌前肌(ADR、ADL)的肌电信号。将归一化后的肌电振幅(nEMG)数据进行时间归一化，并采用半分段线性回归确定肌肉疲劳断点。结果:结果显示，使用HNSE时，SCMR (p < 0.001)、SCML (p = 0.002)和UTR (p = 0.037)肌肉的疲劳阈值时间显著增加。然而，由于使用头颈部支撑外骨骼，左右三角肌和左斜方肌的EMGFT时间没有明显减少。此外，颈部伸展角度对肌肉EMGFT时间没有显著影响。结论:总的来说，研究结果证实了胸锁乳突肌疲劳发作的显著延迟，通过肌电图疲劳阈值测量。这一发现表明，HNSE可以是一种有效的人体工程学干预措施，以降低架空工人肌肉骨骼疾病的风险。然而，需要进一步的研究来调查HNSE在其他颈部伸展角度的影响和更现实的任务，以确保我们的结果的普遍性。应用:目前的研究结果强调了疲劳开始时间的应用，以评估人体工程学干预措施的有效性，包括外骨骼，它可以随后用于缓解姿势需求和降低肌肉骨骼疾病的风险。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Human Factors 管理科学-行为科学

CiteScore

10.60

自引率

6.10%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society publishes peer-reviewed scientific studies in human factors/ergonomics that present theoretical and practical advances concerning the relationship between people and technologies, tools, environments, and systems. Papers published in Human Factors leverage fundamental knowledge of human capabilities and limitations – and the basic understanding of cognitive, physical, behavioral, physiological, social, developmental, affective, and motivational aspects of human performance – to yield design principles; enhance training, selection, and communication; and ultimately improve human-system interfaces and sociotechnical systems that lead to safer and more effective outcomes.