Presented By: U-M Industrial & Operations Engineering
IOE 836 Seminar: Bernard Martin, PhD
Pain in the Neck: A Likely Neuromuscular Control Issue; The Fatigue and EMG Approaches
Bio: Bernard J. Martin received an Engineering degree in applied physics from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Physique de Marseille, France; Ph.D. (biomedical engineering) and Dr.Sci. (Neuroscience) degrees from the Université de Provence, Marseille, France, in 1980 and 1989, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering and Adjunct Research Scientist in the School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan. His research interests are in human motor control, sensorimotor systems, muscle fatigue, biomechanics, motion simulation, human vibration, and stroke rehabilitation.
Abstract: Work-related neck and shoulder pains are highly prevalent in jobs with low physical exposure. Myalgia of the trapezius muscle is one of the most prevalent work-related neck-shoulder disorders and muscle fatigue is widely considered a precursor of such disorders. There is evidence that long-lasting low-level activity of the trapezius muscle appears as a crucial link in the pathway from workplace physiological and psychological demands to the development of work related neck pain. A possible approach to reduce the risks associated with muscle fatigue is to disrupt the monotonous muscle activity by adding frequent, active breaks during the working task. In the first phase of our investigation the long lasting component of trapezius muscle fatigue resulting from low-level, sustained working task and spatio-temporal distribution of EMG activity are investigated in two conditions including passive break or active disruption of muscle contraction. Muscle fatigue develops and persists after the end of the workday. It appears that the alteration of force control may be associated with the corresponding fatigue. However, these phenomena seem to be counteracted by disruption of muscle contraction monotony by active interventions during the workday. Indeed, the presence of active disruptions also induces changes in the timing and degree of EMG activity as well as features of trapezius active areas. The extent of these adaptations appears to be subject and work task dependent but seem to be beneficial for the reduction of muscle fatigue.
Abstract: Work-related neck and shoulder pains are highly prevalent in jobs with low physical exposure. Myalgia of the trapezius muscle is one of the most prevalent work-related neck-shoulder disorders and muscle fatigue is widely considered a precursor of such disorders. There is evidence that long-lasting low-level activity of the trapezius muscle appears as a crucial link in the pathway from workplace physiological and psychological demands to the development of work related neck pain. A possible approach to reduce the risks associated with muscle fatigue is to disrupt the monotonous muscle activity by adding frequent, active breaks during the working task. In the first phase of our investigation the long lasting component of trapezius muscle fatigue resulting from low-level, sustained working task and spatio-temporal distribution of EMG activity are investigated in two conditions including passive break or active disruption of muscle contraction. Muscle fatigue develops and persists after the end of the workday. It appears that the alteration of force control may be associated with the corresponding fatigue. However, these phenomena seem to be counteracted by disruption of muscle contraction monotony by active interventions during the workday. Indeed, the presence of active disruptions also induces changes in the timing and degree of EMG activity as well as features of trapezius active areas. The extent of these adaptations appears to be subject and work task dependent but seem to be beneficial for the reduction of muscle fatigue.
Explore Similar Events
-
Loading Similar Events...
