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Biomedical subjects

E N Corlett

Publications and source records attributed to E N Corlett.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Force exertion in awkward working postures--strength capability while twisting or working overhead.

Isometric strength data have been collected for three of the awkward work situations often imposed by workplace constraints in industry, as found in jobs such as maintenance and repair. The effects of the task layout factors (location of the workpiece, reach distance and direction of force exertion) were investigated and the data has been tabulated to show the degree to which strength may be reduced in different situations. Strength measurements in the present study were found to be considerably higher than previous measurements, apparently due to differences in instructions on foot placement that were given to subjects, which indicates that even small constraints on posture within the workplace may have large effects on the ability to exert force.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Strength capability while kneeling.

Work sometimes has to be carried out kneeling, particularly where jobs are performed in confined spaces as is common for miners, aircraft baggage handlers and maintenance workers. In order to assess the risks in performing forceful tasks under such conditions, data is needed on strength capabilities of kneeling subjects. A study was undertaken to measure isometric strength in single-handed exertions for male subjects and to investigate the effects on this of task layout factors (direction of force exertion, reach distance, height of the workpiece and orientation relative to the subject's sagittal plane). The data has been tabulated to show the degree to which strength may be reduced in different situations and analysis of the task factors showed their influence to be complex with direction of exertion and reach distance having the greatest effect. The results also suggest that exertions are weaker when subjects are kneeling on two knees than when kneeling on one knee, although this needs to be confirmed by direct experimental comparison.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ergonomic workplace assessment in a health care context.

Nurses, together with other groups in the caring professions, show a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries as a consequence of the handling of equipment and patients. This is an internationally recognized consequence of the work in these professions, and studies worldwide have investigated these problems. The UK Health and Safety Executive, as well as the European Community (EC) Directives, require workplaces to be assessed for their hazardousness. Ergonomics is the recognized discipline in relation to assessing whether the work, equipment, or environment match the capacities of the people concerned. An assessment procedure is presented, together with proposals for its use, which can form the basis for the ergonomic assessment of workplaces in health care, and give guidance for their improvement.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Stressful conditions of work: the participative ergonomics approach.

The nature of working stress requires a multi-disciplinary approach for its study. Ergonomics, by its nature multidisciplinary, takes a perspective in which the individual is central and the work and working environment represent the influences to be adjusted. This perspective considers human capacities to have a permissible range of values, within which work demands must be matched. Work demands are more than the physical or mental loads directly related to task performance, since the organisational structure imposes loads. These arise, inter alia, from the relative match between the organisation within the workplace and the structure of the society outside. What people expect from work, and what they get, are also important dimensions of matching the job to the person. The observed stresses, therefore, are not always directly linked to consequences, since there are interactions in what is a multi factor situation. Various aspects of stress are discussed in the paper. Physical stresses and their long and short term impacts are, in many cases, well studied and their effects are known. Work organisation factors such as shift work and repetitive tasks are other stressors, the repetitive work situation is discussed. The whole problem of mental stress is examined more fully than the earlier, perhaps more self evident, stress aspects. Mental stress syndromes are becoming more evident, and it is clear that the interventions are not always satisfactory. In investigations of these situations the involvement of the subjects is vital, the stress effects are often only demonstrated by the subjects' reports.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Back Pain↗
PubMed1989

The geometry of the muscles of the lumbar spine determined by magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a new multiplanar imaging technique that clearly demonstrates soft tissue anatomy. The lumbar spines of 26 males have been scanned. From the transverse scans, the position and cross-sectional areas of the muscles of the lumbar region were recorded. Regression analysis was performed to relate these values to trunk measurements and body weight. Sagittal scans were used to measure the angles to the vertical of the lumbar discs and of the skin overlying the spinous processes. The position of each lumbar disc relative to two skin points was measured. These parameters can then be used in biochemical calculations of low-back forces.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Speed of work and EEG asymmetry.

EEG from O1 and O2 was recorded from twelve subjects (6 male and 6 female) whilst they carried out a paced inspection task at five separate task speeds. Peak alpha activity was analysed using a spectral analysis technique. The results suggested that when subjects were working at a speed 25% faster than their self-chosen pace they were using predominantly their right hemisphere, whereas then they were working at 25% slower they were using mainly their left hemisphere. It was suggested, based on earlier literature, that subjects may be processing information about the task in different ways at different task paces: A sequential processing strategy is being used at the slow pace whilst a parallel or Gestalt processing strategy is being used at the fast pace.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Shrinkage as a measure of the effect of load on the spine.

A new method for measuring spinal load is proposed, whereby changes in body height are used as a measure of disc compression. The rate and magnitude of disc compression are caused by the loading and its temporal pattern. A device is reported for measuring body height (SD less than 1 mm). Experiments showed the dinural shrinkage during a working day and the rapid recovery when lying down. Other experiments demonstrated how the rate of shrinkage is a function of the load on the spine. Further, shrinkage when sitting in different chairs has been compared, and the results are in agreement with disc pressure measurements, reported in the literature. Finally, examples are given of how the method can be used in ergonomic evaluations.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The relationship between EMG activity of the Sacrospinalis and reported back discomfort.

Six subjects performed a tapping task during replicated pairs of trials involving three different degrees of forward bend. The first and second trial of each pair was separated by either a 4 min or 1 min rest period. Integrated electromyographic (IEMG) records from the right Sacrospinalis muscle and estimates of back discomfort on a 5 point scale at 1 min intervals were collected. Reported back discomfort did not correlate with I.E.M.G. Increased forward bend and reduced rest interval generally led to increased levels of reported discomfort but not necessarily increased I.E.M.G.

Back Pain↗