Detection of kneeling and squatting during work using wireless triaxial accelerometers

Abstract

Occupational kneeling and squatting are well-documented risk factors for knee disorders. A method using 3 wireless accelerometers to detect and discriminate kneeling and squatting during work were developed based on data from a semi-standardised laboratory protocol. The method was tested for validity under free-living working conditions. The developed method showed high sensitivity (88–99%) and specificity (98–99%) for detection of kneeling and squatting during the semi-standardised laboratory conditions. During free-living working conditions, kneeling showed very high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (99%), while squatting results were non-conclusive due to limited duration of squatting during the free-living working conditions. This method shows great promise for long-term technical measurement of kneeling and squatting during normal working conditions using wireless accelerometers. The method opens up possibilities for using technical measurements to provide valid exposure assessments and intervention evaluations of kneeling and squatting, as well as increased feasibility for technical measurements in large cohort studies. Practitioner summary: Quantification of kneeling and squatting during work is important for prevention, but limited by either imprecise or costly methods. This study developed and validated an inexpensive wireless accelerometer-based measurement method that can be used by practitioners and researchers for long-term measurements of kneeling and squatting during free-living working conditions.