Analysis of Behaviour and Movement of the Upper Limb in the Weights Handling Activities

Abstract

The main idea of this research is to analyse the movements of the upper limb in order to evaluate the anatomical and physiological limits of flexion-extension movements in subjects with and without motor dysfunctions and to handle weights in the process of lucrative activity. The complex movement that the upper limb can develop is defined by a coordinate system attached to the entire human body and also by the main shoulder joint and the Denavit-Hartenberg convention (DH) respectively. The research methodology is based on an experimental system consisting of a device for analysis of flexion-extension movements of the upper limb, calibrated by dedicated software, based on goniometric sensors, but also by a component of myo-analysis attached to the subject’s arm, in same time with the ArmTutor system. Subjects participating in this experiment were selected on the principle of normal health, gender difference and different anthropometric dimensions, but practicing the same mode of activity. The results of the investigations have materialized in a set of data about the range of motion (ROM) and the analysis of the type of flexion / extension (frequency, motion cycles). Upper limb movements have been established in this procedure to flexion/extension manoeuvres in the elbow, without support, with and without different weights. The determinations highlighted a number of important aspects regarding the configuration required for this type of investigation and allowed to identify mechanisms for rapid assessment of how to handle the weights in order to find the best ways to improve the ergonomics of the activity. Also, as a final result of these determinations, we have established coefficients of mono-handling of weights by applying the REBA and RULA standards for flexion/extension of the upper limb.