Journal of Agromedicine最新文献

{"title":"Adding Insult to Injury: The Impact of Musculoskeletal Pain on Fishermen's Sleep Patterns.","authors":"Julie A Sorensen, Paul Jenkins, Kimberly Gertz, Amanda Roome, Rebecca Weil, Judith Graham, Brian Quinn, Laurel Kincl, Jerry Dzugan, Leigh McCue-Weil","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2451625","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2451625","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, and although injuries have been a prominent focus for research, some health and safety risk factors such as sleep are understudied. In this paper, data from a multi-modal research study of sleep patterns, lifestyle factors, occupational exposures, medical histories, and health assessments in four U.S. fisheries are used to explore the connections between pain and sleep.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixture of randomized cluster sampling, study promotions, and dockside recruitment was utilized to gather a sufficient number of fishermen in the Alaska Salmon, Oregon Dungeness Crab, Massachusetts Scallop, and Massachusetts Lobster fisheries for the study. Fishermen were surveyed about sleep patterns, occupational exposures, and lifestyle factors. Surveyed fishermen were provided with free comprehensive health assessments by occupational health nurses and physicians or Advanced Practice Providers. Data were collected in REDCap and downloaded into SAS for analysis using a variety of analytic methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 262 surveys and 162 physical examinations were completed with captains and crew members in the four fisheries targeted for study. The average self-reported consecutive hours of sleep for fisheries workers that spend several days at sea (i.e. Crab, Scallop, and Salmon fisheries) were roughly 3.5 to 4.0 h in a 24-h period. Of particular note, the majority of fishermen, regardless of fishery, suffered from back pain, and roughly 40% of fishermen noted pain and discomfort significantly impede their ability to sleep.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the connections between musculoskeletal pain and sleep, providing yet further impetus for preventing musculoskeletal injuries among fishermen. Given the ties between existing sleep debt in the industry and the health and safety risks posed by repeated exposure to insufficient sleep, this study highlights the need for the prevention of these injuries and potentially better treatment options for fishermen who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"286-296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142967270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nationally Connected Network of Trainers Empowers Fishers as Medical First Responders: A Case Study in Collaboration and Capacity Building.","authors":"Ashleigh Palinkas, Amelia M Vaughan, Shannon Eldredge, Leann Cyr, Amanda Gladics","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2434075","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2434075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immediate access to advanced medical care in the event of an emergency or injury is not equitable across socioeconomic, occupational, and environmental conditions. Research has shown that basic first aid techniques, when standardized and provided to the public, can significantly improve victim survival in a traumatic event. The Fishing First Aid & Safety Training (FFAST) considers these factors to provide accessible, low, or no cost training across coastal regions of the United States that is adapted specifically for commercial fisheries. The foundation for FFAST is rooted in the theory and practice of austere medicine, which is generally practiced where traditional medical infrastructure, resources, or facilities are absent. Austere medicine often requires decision-making with limited information and resources to optimize patient outcome. FFAST curriculum emphasizes regional adaptations to fit specific fishing audiences and hands-on training and skills practice. Training is delivered using in-person instruction by culturally competent instructors, embedded within fishing communities throughout the United States. To enhance training quality and sustain instructor capacity, we have established a nationally connected network of trainers who actively collaborate to build capacity to provide FFAST to the communities in their respective regions. We support the network through regular all-team meetings to exchange knowledge and report outcomes, and inter-regional train-the-trainer coordination so each partner benefits from best practices and lessons learned across the alliance. The collaborative network supports all partners to meet commercial fishing professional's growing demand for FFAST training.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"221-226"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142717520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beneath the Surface: Mental Health in Commercial Fisheries.","authors":"Amanda B Roome, Kimberly Gertz, Madeline Pain, Heidi Bruggink Sulman, Judith Graham, Brian Quinn, Rebecca Weil, Laurel Kincl, Jerry Dzugan, Leigh McCue-Weil, Paul Jenkins, Julie Sorensen","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2485930","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2485930","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Commercial fishing is a dangerous occupation where injuries, stress, and traumatic events are common. This study determined probable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) rates in a cohort of 142 commercial fishermen in the United States and assessed factors that influence PTSD outcomes and severity. Fishermen representing four fisheries were sampled: salmon gillnetters (Alaska), Dungeness crab (Oregon), scallopers and lobstermen (Massachusetts). Participants self-reported information on health, sleep, activity, and substance use through surveys, and responded to a brief PTSD screener (PC-PTSD-5) that assesses probable PTSD under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Positive PTSD screening rates in male fishermen were 12% (as compared to 10% for female fishermen), roughly three times the national average for US men (4%). Fishermen with self-reported depression, financial struggles, inability to control important things in their lives, difficulty going to (<i>p</i> = .0278) or staying (<i>p</i> = .038) asleep were significantly more likely to screen positive for PTSD. Factors influencing the severity of PTSD symptoms in those that have experienced a traumatic event included: financial insecurity, interpersonal concerns (family, crew), stress, and concern for safety on the vessel. Interestingly, sleep variables did not impact the severity of PTSD symptoms, only the outcome of probable PTSD. These results suggest the need to better understand the nature of traumatic events in fishing communities and to validate existing PTSD screening tools with fishermen to determine their accuracy in diagnosing PTSD in this population. Additionally, tailored behavioral health care for fishermen is essential to effective treatment and recovery from trauma.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143755450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a Pesticide Labeling Literacy Scale for Thai Rice Farmers: Item Generation and Content Validity Testing.","authors":"Phiranut Saeneewong Na Ayuttaya, Nuttaporn Lawthong, Mark Gregory Robson, Wattasit Siriwong","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2468416","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2468416","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Occupational exposure to pesticides in rice cultivation poses health risks, exacerbated by factors contributing to the improper use of pesticides. One significant factor is the limited literacy skills of farmers, hindering their ability to read and comprehend pesticide labels. Research in this area is limited by the lack of an acceptable method for measuring pesticide labeling literacy.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess pesticide labeling literacy in Thai rice farmers.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The scale development involved identifying components and dimensions of pesticide labeling, formulating question items, and designing the scale based on literature reviews and expert interviews. The content validity of items was evaluated by experts using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR). After the pilot test, the difficulty, discrimination index, reliability and construct validity of the scale were examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was evaluated on 400 rice farmers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pesticide labeling literacy scale was structured into five components: Access, Understanding, Awareness, Analysis, and Application. The CVI and CVR results fell within the acceptable range, confirming content validity. After refining the questionnaire based on the pilot test, a 40-item scale was derived, with items exhibiting suitable difficulty indices (0.28-0.76) and discrimination indices (0.20-0.70). The overall pesticide labeling literacy scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.896 The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated that the scale was suitable for factor analysis. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated that the model aligned well with the empirical data and exhibited acceptable fit indices for the proposed model. The final version of the scale comprised 35 questionnaire items.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 35-item questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing pesticide labeling literacy among Thai rice farmers. It encompassed five components: Access, Understanding, Awareness, Analysis, and Application This innovative scale has the potential to serve as an effective tool for evaluating the level of pesticide labeling literacy among Thai rice farmers.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the Understandability and Actionability of Education Materials for Agricultural Workers' Health.","authors":"Julianna Nieuwsma, Joseph G L Lee, Jamie E Bloss, Catherine E LePrevost, Israel M Mendez, Emery L Harwell, Leslie E Cofie","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2474130","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2474130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Agricultural health and safety educators, including community health workers and Extension agents, represent an important community of practice, connecting agricultural workers (i.e. migrant and seasonal farmworkers) to health information and care. We sought to identify and evaluate existing education resources available to educators for use in health education and outreach with farmworkers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used a systemized search process to identify health education materials in English and Spanish used in the United States. Two independent coders coded each material for its understandability and actionability using the Patient Educational Material Assessment Tool (PEMAT). We report descriptive statistics by type of material, topic, and publication date of the material.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified farmworker health education materials (<i>n</i> = 602) from across the United States. The average understandability score was 86%, and the average actionability score was 76%. Materials were most commonly print material in the format of handouts, brochures, and posters. Some topic areas (e.g. musculoskeletal injuries) had considerably more resources than others (e.g. green tobacco).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This research represents the first, to our knowledge, comprehensive assessment of health education materials for education and outreach to agricultural workers. While the average scores for understandability and actionability were high among materials, there is room to build a stronger set of resources in some topic areas and to modernize materials for electronic delivery. Using PEMAT tools can help the Extension and community health worker communities of practice improve the quality of materials they share with agricultural workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143544086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating the \"Valley of Death\": A Brief Report on How Incubators Can Nurture Transition of Research to Practice to Benefit Worker Wellbeing.","authors":"Pamela J Milkovich, Leigh McCue, Liane Hirabayashi, Andres Esteban Sandi Espejo, Lance Maben, Julie A Sorensen","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2474711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2474711","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Incubator and accelerator programs are important tools for innovators looking to take their ideas to scale. Unfortunately for agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AgFF) populations who are at high risk for occupational injuries and fatalities, few safety and health solutions have graduated from these programs. This brief report explores what it will take to develop an incubator process specific to AgFF safety and health innovations and ensure that those innovations are accessible to and adopted by workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143544091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of a Statewide Youth Ag Safety Immersive Virtual Reality Program.","authors":"Sue Schuelke, Aaron Yoder, Matt Kreifels, Kevin Kupzyk","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2473456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2473456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and effect of an Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) Ag Safety Education mail-out program to secondary school-based agricultural education programs. The following aims were addressed: a) develop an IVR Ag Safety game, b) implement a mail-out program for the Rollover Ranch Ag Safety game, and c) evaluate the effectiveness and engagement of an IVR Ag safety program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We enrolled 44 schools. Participants were invited to complete a pre- and post-knowledge assessment, and students and faculty evaluations of the experience.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistical analysis was completed using an independent t-test. The Pre scores (<i>n</i> = 423) had a Mean = 72.2% (S.D. = 15.2) and Post scores (<i>n</i> = 174) had a Mean = 79.8% (S.D. = 17.2) Post test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores t (595) = 5.36, <i>p</i> < .001, d = 0.48. The test questions were then divided into subsets of Tractor Safety, ATV Safety, and Electrical Safety, and all subset scores showed statistically significant increases. The students scored highest on ATV safety, Pre score mean = 89.1% (S.D. = 17.3) and post score mean = 93.1% (S.D. = 15.7). Tractor Safety Scores had a pretest Mean = 71.2 (S.D. 22.7) and a post-test score mean = 78.3 (S.D. = 23.4). The lowest performing questions were on electrical safety with a pre-test mean = 40.6% (S.D. = 37) and a post-test mean = 57.2% (S.D. = 40.8). The students' evaluations reported the game was entertaining (85.63%) and increased their understanding of Ag Safety (63.8%). Most students (79.64%) wanted to continue to use IVR. The majority of faculty (77%) indicated that IVR assisted in teaching, and 92% indicated they would want to continue using IVR as a teaching modality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IVR can be delivered to serve all geographical areas, allowing dissemination throughout a rural state. Students learned and were engaged; faculty found it easy to use and both would desire to use it again. Further research is needed, including long-term follow-up on retained knowledge and, more importantly, if it translates into appropriate behavior when operating agricultural equipment and electrical safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143524962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sun Protection Knowledge and Behaviors Among Agricultural Industry Workers in Pennsylvania.","authors":"Camille Moeckel, Robert Bower, Calista Long, Hannah Flamini, Amy Longenecker, Elizabeth M Billingsley, Eugene J Lengerich, Charlene Lam","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2470963","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2470963","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Outdoor occupations like agriculture expose individuals to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Although most individuals in agriculture recognize the importance of sun protection, adherence to preventive measures may be inconsistent. Our study aimed to explore sun protection behaviors among agricultural industry workers in Pennsylvania and identify specific barriers faced in practicing sun safety.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a convenience sample survey at the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the country (Pennsylvania Farm Show). The survey, based on established measures, assessed sun protection practices among agricultural industry workers using a 2-page questionnaire covering demographics, sun protection habits, barriers, and skin examination history. Exclusion criteria included not identifying as an agricultural industry worker, age under 18, and inability to read and understand English. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and multivariable logistic regression, controlling for age, gender, education, skin tone, previous skin cancer diagnosis, and occupational sector, were employed in analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The response rate was 86%, with 7 of 202 surveys excluded (<i>n</i> = 195). Regarding sun exposure knowledge, 63.1% believed their skin cancer risk was higher than indoor workers, and 80.0% perceived unprotected sun exposure as harmful. However, 71.8% reported infrequent sunscreen use. The most common barrier to sun protection was forgetting (49.2%), and 59.0% noted their workplace lacked built-in sun protection. Regression models revealed lower education, darker skin tones, and male gender as significant predictors of underestimating sun exposure risks (<i>p</i> < .01). Men were less likely than women to discuss sun protection with their primary care providers, undergo skin checks, or receive sun protection information from healthcare providers (<i>p</i> < .05). Additionally, men were less likely than women to regularly wear and reapply sunscreen but more likely to wear hats of any type (<i>p</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite awareness of skin cancer risk, reported sun protection usage among agricultural industry workers in Pennsylvania was inconsistent, highlighting the need for interventions tailored to addressing barriers like forgetfulness. This study compares sun protection practices between occupational sectors within agriculture. Future qualitative research studies focusing on specific sectors and their unique practices are crucial for developing tailored messaging strategies and targeted, workplace-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stress and Succession: Farmer Stress and Support Needs of Agricultural Advisors During Transition Planning.","authors":"Carrie N Baker, Sarah A Bush","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2467964","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2467964","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Given outlooks for farm succession, it is important to understand how planning impacts farmer health and how to equip individuals facilitating succession. This research explored perceptions of stress during succession planning, the perceived challenges, and professional needs to better support clients' mental health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted semi-structured interviews with agricultural advisors (<i>n</i> = 12). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Researchers applied inductive thematic analysis, using concept coding as the first-round method before engaging in code mapping and axial coding to finalize categories and determine prominent themes for each research question.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A shared set of stressors was identified. While technical stressors were recognized, emotional stressors were most prominent. Though research was not limited to family farms, family business systems were emphasized as having specific impacts on succession. Additionally, advisors recognized relational conflict, lack of communication, and navigating uncertainty as some factors contributing to stress. Advisors noted masked stressors such as identity confusion, guilt, and a lost sense of purpose can pose significant threats to farmers' mental health. Many felt competent in identifying potential signs of distress but expressed a need for additional mental health-related training.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Continued education and the creation of a streamlined professional network and resource directory are needed to improve information sharing and programming for advisors helping farmers and farm families navigate conflict and life changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a Passive Back-Support Exosuit on Objective and Subjective Measures of Human Performance During a Simulated Bush-Crop Harvesting Task.","authors":"Sang Hyeon Kang, Emma Wolf, Luke Lowe, Gary A Mirka","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2470257","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2470257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Interest in wearable passive back-supports (exoskeletons/suits) has grown rapidly as a tool to reduce the risk of low back injury by reducing lumbar extensor muscle loading. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of passive back-support exoskeleton/suit at reducing low back muscle activity/fatigue in a variety of tasks, but it is unclear whether an exoskeleton/exosuit intervention would be effective in agricultural harvesting tasks that require complex three-dimensional dynamic motions, long duration stooped postures, and variable engagement of the lower extremities. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a passive lumbar support exosuit on muscle fatigue and comfort/mobility during a simulated harvesting task in a controlled laboratory setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixteen participants were asked to perform a continuous work task that simulated a 3-min bout of harvesting from a bush crop. Participants harvested at a rate of 1 unit per 2 s and were permitted to assume any effective harvesting position except a full kneeling posture. Test contractions and subjective assessments were performed before and after each 3-min bout of a simulated harvesting task to allow for an assessment of the 1) changes in objective measures of erector spinae muscle fatigue development (both time domain and frequency domain measures of muscle fatigue) and 2) subjective measures of physical fatigue, and 3) exosuit comfort and mobility constraints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The exosuit significantly mitigated the increases in EMG amplitude in the time domain (<i>p</i> = .015; Cohen's d = 0.46) indicating a mitigation of muscle fatigue, but there was no significant exosuit effect on median frequency (<i>p</i> = .145) or perceived fatigue in the low back (<i>p</i> = .289). In addition, the exosuit use was associated with significant increases in perceived movement restriction (<i>p</i> < .001; d = 0.82) which were also manifested in terms of significant effects of the exosuit on the magnitude of the 90^th percentile of the trunk flexion (<i>p</i> = .027, d = 0.29).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study demonstrated moderate muscle fatigue reduction effects at the cost of a negative impact on objective and subjective measures of trunk motion restrictions and comfort.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}