Trapezius muscle rest time during standardised computer work - A comparison of female computer users with and without self-reported neck/shoulder complaints
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2007

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the shoulder/neck area are a common and increasing problem among European computer workers, especially women. Long-term low-level workloads with low degree of muscle rest are a potential risk factor for developing WMSDs. The purpose of the present study of female computer users (age 45-65 years) in Denmark and Sweden was to investigate if subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints (cases, N = 35) show less trapezius muscle relative rest time (RRT) than controls (N = 44) when performing standardised short-term computer work tasks in controlled laboratory conditions. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded bilaterally from the upper trapezius muscles during a type, edit, precision and colour word stress task. Besides RRT, 10th percentile RMS values were calculated. On the average, 15 of the cases and 18 of the controls showed analysable EMG files per task. For the colour word stress task, the results showed lower RRT values and higher 10th percentile RMS amplitude levels among cases compared to controls. No such signs could be found for the other tasks performed. The present results indicate an increased motor response to a psychological stressor among subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MOUSE USE

DURATION

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC EVALUATION

computer work

NECK PAIN

musculoskeletal disorders

NEUROMUSCULAR ASSESSMENT

PHYSICAL EXPOSURE

JOB DEMANDS

PERCEIVED MUSCULAR TENSION

EMG

muscle rest

SHOULDER PAIN

Författare

Stefan Thorn

Chalmers, Produkt- och produktionsutveckling, Produktionssystem

K. Sogaard

Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljo

L. A. C. Kallenberg

Roessingh Research and Development

Leif Sandsjö

Chalmers, Produkt- och produktionsutveckling

G. Sjogaard

Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljo

H. Hermens

Roessingh Research and Development

Roland Kadefors

Arbetslivsinstitutet

Chalmers

M. Forman

Chalmers

Arbetslivsinstitutet

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

1050-6411 (ISSN) 1873-5711 (eISSN)

Vol. 17 4 420-427

Ämneskategorier

Övrig annan teknik

DOI

10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.04.010

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Senast uppdaterat

2018-09-10