Understanding the Musculoskeletal Demand of Ride-On Mowing Using Wearable Technology

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the postures and muscle activity while parks and gardens workers operated ride-on mowers during a typical shift. Eight participants operated ride-on mowers in the same park but on different terrains (flat and undulating). Body postures and muscle activity were collected wirelessly and unobtrusively. Participants adopted a forward-flexed seated posture with the predominant movement being head rotation. Oscillatory movements (20–40° from neutral) of the thorax in all three planes of movement were noted in all participants. Low levels (<30% MVIC) of muscle activity were recorded in all muscles tested. These levels were elicited for most (>90%) of the recording time. Higher (>50% MVIC) activation levels were interspersed through the data, but these were not sustained. There was no difference in posture or muscle activity between the flat and undulating terrain. The forward-flexed posture combined with vibration can increase the risk of discomfort and injury in the low back while ride-on mowing. The low levels of muscle activity suggest participants did not actively brace for the occupational situation and task. The large inter-participant difference in posture attests to subjective variation to accommodate muscular stress, and this may not be optimal for injury mitigation.