Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Risk Factor Assessment Using Surface Electromyography and Electrogoniometer among Automobile Part Manufacturers: Dongmug Kang, Cheol Ho Yee, Yong Chul Shin, Eun A Kim, Ji Hoon Woo, Byung Mann Cho, Su Ill Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(4):267-277. Published online December 31, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.4.267

OBJECTIVES
As automobile part manufacturing is characterized by high speed and high repetition, observation methods which are usually utilized for static posture are inappropriate to evaluate musculoskeleatal risk factors. This study quantified the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders on the forearm and suggested exposure limits by estimating the risk factors using surface electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometer.
METHODS
Ten percent of the total workers at 3 automobile part manufacturing factories were randomly selected, and 99 male workers were recruited as study subjects. The study was conducted during May 2003 to September 2004. The workers were equipped with electrogoniometers on the wrist and the elbow, surface EMGs on the skin of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles, and the heart beat recorder during work as indicators of joint movement, local muscle tension and physical work load, respectively.
RESULTS
After controlling for age, body mass index and job stress, wrist flexion maximum angle, FDS relative activity (RA) and ECR RA were significantly associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. The odds ratios of the forearm were 5.0(95% CI: 1.1-22.7), 14.0(95% CI: 1.5-128.8) and 7.3(95% CI: 1.1-49.4) for wrist flexion maximum angle more than 76 degrees, FDS RA more than 2.8%, and ECR RA more than 3.5%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Joint angle and focal muscle activity were associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. To reduce forearm musculoskeletal symptoms among automobile part manufacturers, the wrist flexion angle, and FDS and ECR activity need to be reduced below the guidelines recommended in this study.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Quantification of physical stress experienced by obstetrics and gynecology sonographers: A comparative study of two ultrasound devices
Yong-Ku Kong, Min-Uk Cho, Chae-Won Park, Seoung-Yeon Kim, Min-Jung Kim, Junpil Moon, Sungwon Lim, Byung-Mo Oh, Banseok Han, JunHee Choi, Kyeong-Hee Choi
Applied Ergonomics.2022; 100: 103665. CrossRef

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Original Article

Cervicobrachial Disorders of Female International Telephone Operators IV. Laboratory studies: Chung Yill Park, Kyung Hwan Cho, Seung Han Lee, In Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(1):50-57. Published online February 28, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.1.50

Abstract PDF

Twenty eight workers selected through our screening criteria were placed under laboratory and orthopadic studies. The results were as follows : 1. The work duration of a subjects, except one case, amounted to more than 5 years. 2. Serum creatinine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase showed significant linear association with positive questionnaire responses. 3. It was suggested rbaf muscle enzyme, rheumatoid factor, cervical radiogram and orthopaedic physical examination are quite helpful in the diagnosis occupational cervicobrachial disorders. However, the value of elect romyographic study was questioned. 4. Finally, it was found 9 out of 290 female international telephone operators needed active intervention in health management as well as work.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea and Japan: A Comparative Description
Eun-A Kim, Minori Nakata
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef

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