Evaluation of an overhead support stand and arm position in overhead work

Abstract

This study examines the effect of an overhead drilling support and position of the arm on muscular activity of the shoulder. Root mean square amplitude (RMS) of the EMG activity from dominant side anterior deltoid, bicep and trapezius muscles was used to determine the load on the muscular system. The participants used a subjective rating scale to evaluate the overhead support stand and holding position. The results demonstrate that the overhead support stand was effective in reducing the muscular load. The mean RMS value reduction with overhead support stand, when compared to the without support in bicep muscles during near, middle and far reach positions were 18%, 24% and 47%, respectively. For anterior deltoid muscles the percentage decrease in mean RMS values for near, middle and far reach positions were 24%, 33% and 49%, respectively; and for trapezius muscles the percentage decrease in mean RMS values during near, middle and far reach positions were 32%, 33% and 42%, respectively. The middle reach position, in contrast to near and far reach positions resulted in the lowest RMS values. The mean RMS values without support stand for biceps muscles was the lowest in middle position (0.139 mv). Similarly, the mean RMS values of anterior deltoid (0.231 mv) and trapezius (0.066 mv) muscles without overhead support stand were least for the middle position. The mean RMS values for the bicep (0.105 mv), anterior deltoid (0.155 mv) and trapezius (0.041 mv) muscles with overhead support stand were the lowest during the middle position. The subjective rating results also supported the above conclusions.