Biomedical subjects

D Ekner

Publications and source records attributed to D Ekner.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Kinetics and energetics during uphill and downhill carrying of different weights.

During physically heavy work tasks the musculoskeletal tissues are exposed to both mechanical and metabolic loading. The aim of the present study was to test a biomechanical model for prediction of whole-body energy turnover from kinematic and anthropometric data during load carrying. Total loads of 0, 10 and 20 kg were carried symmetrically or asymmetrically in the hands, while walking on a treadmill (4.5 km h(-1)) horizontally, uphill, or downhill the slopes being 8%. Mean values for the directly measured oxygen uptake ranged for all trials from 0.5 to 2.1 l O2 min(-1), and analysis of variance showed significant differences regarding slope, load carried, and symmetry. The calculated values of oxygen uptake based on the biomechanical model correlated significantly with the directly measured values, fitting to the line Y = 0.990 X + 0.144, where Y is the estimated and X is the measured oxygen uptake in l min(-1). The close relationship between energy turnover rate measured directly and estimated based on a biomechanical model justifies the assessment of the metabolic load from kinematic data.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Muscle involvement during intermittent contraction patterns with different target force feedback modes.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of different feedback modes during intermittent contractions on primary and assessory muscle activity. BACKGROUND: Intermittent contractions and physiological responses have been studied in laboratory settings. However, the feedback given to the subjects regarding timing and force level is generally not specified. DESIGN: Repeated measure design in which six subjects in randomized order performed two experimental conditions only differing in feedback mode. METHODS: Intermittent static elbow flexion was performed against either a fixed-force transducer (visual feedback) or a weight to be held in position (proprioceptive feedback) both corresponding to 30% maximal voluntary contraction. Contraction and relaxation timing of 6 and 4 s, respectively, was shown on a VDU screen as colour code identical in both conditions. RESULTS: Test contractions performed before and following 30 min of intermittent contractions showed larger fatigue development with proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback. Also rating of perceived exertion increased more during proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback. This may in part be explained by small differences in the mechanics during the two different feedback modes. In line with this, EMG recorded from four shoulder/arm muscles analyzed for amplitude and frequency showed similar activity initially; but later, during the 30 min contraction larger amplitudes were attained during proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback mode significantly effects the muscle involvement and fatigue during intermittent contractions. RelevanceIntermittent contractions are common in many work places and various feedback modes are being given regarding work requirements. The choice of feedback may significantly affect the muscle load and consequently the development muscle fatigue and disorders.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1995

Musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators.

OBJECTIVES: A longitudinal study was conducted to describe the prevalences and development of musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators in relation to age and exposure and among former sewing machine operators who changed exposure by changing occupation. METHODS: Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed among 327 sewing machine operators in 1985 with the use of the standardized Nordic questionnaire. A follow-up study in 1991 showed that approximately one-third was still working as a sewing machine operator, one-third had changed occupation, and the rest were out of employment. The exposure was assessed by a questionnaire regarding the type of machine being operated, work organization, workplace design, units produced per day, and payment system. RESULTS: High prevalences of musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and shoulders were found, with some associations to exposure variables such as efficiency. Initially symptom-free sewing machine operators were not at a higher risk of developing symptoms when they continued sewing during the six-year follow-up when compared with those who changed to other employment. However, symptomatic sewing machine operators who quit sewing were much more likely to be relieved of their symptoms than were symptomatic operators who continued sewing, odds ratio 3.26 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.38-7.72] for 12-month symptoms and odds ratio 3.90 (95% CI 1.28-11.90) for 7-day symptoms. This trend also applied to long-lasting symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that, for many sewing machine operators, neck and shoulder symptoms are reversible and may be influenced by reallocation to other worktasks.

Adolescent↗