An Ergonomic Based Postural Control and Balance Body Exercise Design for Young Martial Art Trainees

Abstract

Posture correction exercise on a toes-up inclined sloped surface usually causes fatigue and possible injuries among young martial art trainees. They often find their feet slipping or dropping on a 15–20° sloped angle that prevents their exercise practice. This study presents ergonomic assessments of a toes-up inclined platform by adding three ergonomic features and measures the exhaustion and discomfort during posture correction and balance body exercise practice. Twenty-three young trainees were asked to perform posture correction exercise with 15 steps martial art training program. The findings showed a significant effect of the proposed ergonomic features on the toes-up inclined sloped platform that could induce exercise practice and maintain comfortable exercise associated with stability, comfort, and easiness. Although the finding of muscle relaxation was insignificant and the mean score was higher at all experimental conditions, indicating muscle stretching or muscle activation. This study recommend the use of inclined sloped platform with curved shape and foot strip ergonomic features that can increase comfort and decrease fatigue and potential injuries caused by slipping or dropping during posture correction exercise.