Impact of a chest support on lower back muscle activity during forward bending

Journal Article (2010)
Author(s)

Armaĝan Albayrak (Erasmus MC, TU Delft - Human Factors)

Richard H.M. Goossens (TU Delft - Human Factors)

CJ Snijders (TU Delft - Human Factors, Erasmus MC)

H. De Ridder (TU Delft - Human Technology Relations)

G Kazemier (Erasmus MC)

Research Group
Human Factors
Copyright
© 2010 A. Albayrak, R.H.M. Goossens, C.J. Snijders, H. de Ridder, G Kazemier
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1080/11762320903541453
More Info
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Publication Year
2010
Language
English
Copyright
© 2010 A. Albayrak, R.H.M. Goossens, C.J. Snijders, H. de Ridder, G Kazemier
Research Group
Human Factors
Issue number
2
Volume number
7
Pages (from-to)
131-142
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

The present study is based on previous research on the poor body posture of surgeons and their experienced discomfort during surgical procedures. Since surgeons have head-bent and back-bent posture during open surgical procedures, a chest support is a viable supporting principle. This support is meant to reduce lower back pain by minimising lower back muscle activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a chest support on lower back muscle activity during forward bending and to establish a possible relation between supporting force and the kind of balancing strategy a person adopts. Use of the chest support shows a significant reduction of muscle activity in the lower back and leg muscles. Within the participants three user groups are identified as “sceptical users”, “non-trusters” and “fully trusters”, each following a different balancing strategy. Since there are different kinds of users, the designed body support should offer the possibility for altering the posture and should not constrain the user to take a certain body posture.