Bending Position Research Articles

Punggung Sehat dengan Mckenzie Back Exercises Selama Pembelajaran Daring bagi Mahasiswa STIKes Hang Tuah Tanjungpinang

Low back pain is pain that originates from the spine in the spinal area, muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, or cartilage due to the wrong position. Individuals who perform activities such as sitting up straight and bending over must be in the correct position. At Stikes Hang Tuah Tanjungpinang, a phenomenon was found that 42.7% of students complained of lower back pain due to wrong sitting habits such as sitting in a bent position when attending online lectures and doing college assignments. Sitting for too long in the wrong position causes muscle tension and spinal ligament strain. The results of interviews with students, most of the students who complain of low back pain do not understand what can be done to reduce or prevent low back pain due to sitting position and sitting too long. One of the non-pharmacological therapies to treat low back pain is McKenzie back exercises. The purpose of this community service is to provide students with an understanding of low back pain and teach actions to reduce or prevent low back pain. The success indicator of this activity is that students understand and can perform the McKenzie back exercises The method used is to provide health education about low back pain and demonstrate McKenzie back exercises to students.

Design of Piezoelectric Tile for Energy Harvesting: Experimental Approach

The generation of electricity by renewable energies is an important need of today's society. Piezoelectric energy harvesting is one of these useful technologies which can generate electricity by applying external force on piezoelectric material. This study illustrates more power generation from piezoelectric tile by changing the situation of piezo discs and connect to proportional electrical circuit. Two different designs of piezoelectric tile are presented by performing experimental analyses. The experimental results showed that placing piezoelectric elements in a bending position leads to higher power generation in comparison with traditional flat positioning, which was approximately 78 times far superior. It is also revealed that by design of an electrical circuit, the tile can be advantageous for lighting in crowded sidewalks with required lighting time. The results of this paper can be beneficial in the design and fabrication of these tiles for different applications.

Risk factors for coronal oblique take-off following adult spinal deformity surgery using lateral lumbar interbody fusion and open posterior corrective fusion.

To evaluate risk factors associated with oblique take-off (OT) following lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for adult spinal deformity. Thirty-nine consecutive patients (mean age 67.9years) with scoliosis of the lumbar curve (> 30°) were evaluated. Multilevel LLIF, followed by open thoraco-pelvic posterior corrective fusion after 1week, was performed. We defined OT as a distance of > 25mm between the C7 plumb line and the central sacral vertical line and examined risk factors by dividing the patients into the OT and non-OT groups. OT occurred in 11 patients (28%), all showing a tilt to the convex side. The correction rate of the lumbar curve was approximately 70% range for both groups, which indicated good correction. Preoperative radiographs showed a high L1-central sacral vertical line in the standing position; high L5 tilt in the supine position; high L3, L4, and L5 tilts to the convex side in the supine-bending position; and a high L4 vertebral wedge on the convex side in OT cases. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that an L4 tilt to the concave side in the bending position was the most effective predictor of OT (odds ratio = 1.104, P = 0.047). For a cutoff value of 16°, the sensitivity and specificity were 73% and 61%, respectively, according to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve = 0.73). OT occurred in 28% of adult scoliosis patients following LLIF. An L4 tilt > 16° to the concave side in the bending position was the most valuable risk factor. IV.

How to select the lowest instrumented vertebra in Lenke 5/6 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with derotation technique.

To introduce and evaluate our lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) selection criteria for Lenke type 5/6 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with de-rotation technique. There were 53 eligible Lenke 5/6 AIS patients with minimum 2-year follow-up enrolled in current study. The LIV selection criteria were: (1) the first vertebra touching the central sacral vertical line (CSVL) or the most cephalad vertebra which can return to stable zone under lateral bending position; (2) vertebral rotation no more than grade II by Nash-Moe rotation evaluation; (3) the lowest instrumented vertebra disc angle (LIVDA) could be reversed on lateral bending position. Demographic data, operation data and radiographic data were obtained and analyzed. Both clinical evaluation and radiographic data showed satisfactory outcome. The thoracolumbar/lumbar curve was improved from 53.4 ± 11.0° preoperatively to 6.9 ± 2.6° at the final follow-up. Two patients (3.8%) with adding on and two patients (3.8%) with coronal decompensation were identified at the final follow-up. LIV translation, LIV tilt and LIV disc angle were gradually improved after operation. The preoperative LIV tilt was positively correlated with Cobb angle (p = 0.010) and AVT (p = 0.030) at the final follow-up, and preoperative LIVDA was positively correlated with Cobb angle (p = 0.033) at the final follow-up. In Lenke 5/6 scoliosis, the current LIV selection criteria with de-rotation technique contribute to satisfactory correction rate of 87.1% and minimal alignment complications of 7.6%. LIV could be spontaneously and progressively improved after operation. Preoperative LIV tilt and LIVDA could predict postoperative correction and coronal balance.

THE EFFECT OF INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ON HOW TO WORK COMPLAINTS IN MECHANICAL WORKERS IN HEAVY EQUIPMENT COMPANIES

ABSTRACTLow back pain (LBP) is experienced by almost everyone during his life, and data in Indonesia ranged from 3-17% based on hospital records. LBP can occur due to awkward body postures and manual handling during working and need intervention to reduce complaints. This study to know intervention to reduce risk at ergonomic can induce LBP. This study uses a quasi-experimental design using control with a sample of 35 in each group. The intervention program monitoring was carried out by the SHE team at the work site based on conducting weekly observations regarding workers doing awkward work postures and manual handling activities and ensuring that mechanical workers receive ergonomics training. After one year of the intervention program, the data collection was carried out using a questionnaire to find out the changes in the length of the squat position, bending position, and manual handling activities in both groups. Significant differences between the two groups were obtained in the long work category with squat posture with p-value <0,001, bent posture with p-value 0.001, and a non-significant difference were found in the manual handling category with a p-value of 0.614. The intervention program can change manual handling in the intervention group 3.6 times at work duration more than 1 hour in a squatting position and decrease in the length of bending position more 1 hour by 1.4 times compared to control. Keywords: ergonomic training, squatting position, bending position, manual handling.

A Case Study of Floating Offshore Super-Long Steel Pipeline Combing with Field Monitoring

How to control deformation and avoid resonance is the key to ensuring the safety of the super-long pipeline when it is floating in the sea. Based on the deformation warning value of pipeline prototype composite material obtained from laboratory tests, the raw water pipeline project in Tong’an Xiamen adopts wireless communication equipment to transmit data, supplemented by aerial photography technology to monitor and feedback the strain and vibration during the dynamic construction of long-distance pipeline floating transportation. Combined with dynamic construction, this monitoring method avoids excessive deformation and resonance of the steel pipeline during floating transportation, and prevents the destruction of the anticorrosive coating. The airtightness test after completion shows that the whole pipeline meets the acceptance requirements. The monitoring results show that the strain at the bent position of the pipeline is large in the process of floating transportation, and the jacking speed and position of the tugboats have an important influence on the deformation of the pipeline. The same type of project should focus on these aspects and timely feedback monitoring data. At the same time, the study also provides detailed strain, modal analysis and effective monitoring technology for the safety of offshore steel pipeline floating transportation.

Low Back Pain-Behavior Correction by Providing Haptic Feedbacks: A Preliminary Investigation.

The activities performed by nurses in their daily activities involve frequent forward bending and awkward back postures. These movements contribute to the prevalence and development of low back pain (LBP). In previous studies, it has been shown that modifying their posture by education and training in proper lifting techniques decreases the prevalence of LBP. However, this education and training needs to be implemented daily. Hence, implementing the use of a wearable device to monitor the back posture with haptic feedback would be of importance to prevent LBP. This paper proposes a wearable device to monitor the back posture of the user and provide feedback when the participant is performing a possible hurtful movement. In this study, a group of participants was asked to wear the device while performing three of the most common activities performed by nurses. The study was divided into three sessions: In the first session, the participants performed the activities without feedback (baseline). During the second session, the participants received feedback from the wearable device (training) while performing the three tasks. Finally, for the third session, the participants performed the three tasks again, but the haptic feedback was turned off (validation). We found an improvement in the posture of more than 40% for the pitch (lateral bending) and roll (forward/backward bending) axes and 7% for the yaw (twisting) axis when comparing to the results from session 1 and session 2. The comparison between session 1 and session 3 showed an overall improvement of more than 50% for the pitch (lateral bending) and roll (forward/backward bending) axes and more than 20% for the yaw axis. These results hinted at the impact of the haptic feedback on the participants to correct their posture.

Analisis Faktor Risiko Low Back Pain Pada Pekerja Industri Tahu di Kecamatan Kejayan Pasuruan

Low back pain, pain that is felt in the affected anatomical area with a variety of long occurrence of pain. This pain feels lumbar or lumbo-sacral. Workers of tofu home industry are at risk of low back pain due to their activities such as the position of bending, lifting and carrying heavy loads. This research aim to factors that risk against the incident of low back pain. Total sample of 132 respondents: 66 cases and 66 controls were selected randomly from workers of tofu home industry. Data analysis using Chi Square and logistic regression to know the most dominant factor. There was relationship of employment, back posture, heavy weights with low back pain (P <0.05). There was not relationship age, sex, smoking, body mass index and physical activity with low back pain (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed the most dominant working period affecting low back pain. The study found that low back pain was a relevant health problem among workers of tofu home industry. The policy of arranging breaks and lifting techniques is required to prevent low back pain.

Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Factors among Instructors in Ethiopian Universities: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background In this globalized and high-tech era, the computer has become an integral part of daily life. A constant use of computer for 3 hours and more per day can cause computer vision syndrome (CVS), which is one of the leading occupational hazards of the 21st century. The visual difficulties are the most common health problems associated with excessive computer use. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVS among instructors working in Ethiopian universities. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 university instructors in Ethiopia from February 02 to March 24, 2021. A structured and self-administered questionnaire prepared by Google Forms was shared among instructors through their e-mail addresses, Facebook, and Telegram accounts. Data cleanup and cross-checking were done before analysis using SPSS version 23. A multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with CVS using p value <0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results Of the total 416 participants, about 293 (70.4%) were reported to have CVS (95% CI: 65.9–74.5%), of which 54.6% were aged 24–33 years. Blurred vision, pain in and around the eye, and eye redness were the main symptoms reported. Working in third-established universities (AOR = 8.44, 95% CI: 5.47–21.45), being female (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.28–5.64), being 44 years old and above (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.31–5.70), frequently working on the computer (AOR = 5.51, 95% CI: 2.05–14.81), and sitting in bent back position (AOR = 8.10, 95% CI: 2.42–23.45) were the factors associated with computer vision syndrome. Conclusions In this study, nearly seven-tenths of instructors in Ethiopian universities reported having symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Working in third-generation universities, being female, age, frequently working on the computer, and sitting in bent back position were statistically significant predictors in computer vision syndrome. Therefore, optimizing exposure time, addressing ergonomic hazards associated with computer usage through on-the-job and off-the-job training, and making the safety guidelines accessible for all university instructors would be critical to address the problem.

The Effect of Turmeric Drink and Lavender Aromatherapy Combination on Neck Pain in Batik Craftsmen in Tuban

Neck pain in batik craftsmen causes discomfort to work so the efficiency and productivity decrease. Neck pain in batik craftsmen is caused by a bent position when sitting for a long time and done by sitting in a small chair which is usually called a dingklik. The process of canting takes 6-8 hours per day so that the batik craftsmen have a short rest time which causes fatigue and muscle tension. The research objective was to analyze the effect of the combination of turmeric water and lavender aromatherapy on neck pain in batik craftsmen. The research design used was pre-experimental using one- group pre-post test data collection method with a sample size of 74 respondents. Samples were taken using probability sampling techniques. The independent variable in this study is the combination of turmeric water and lavender aromatherapy. The dependent variable in this study was neck pain in batik craftsmen. The instrument in this study used a demographic data questionnaire, a numeric rating scale pain measurement sheet and standard operating procedures for making turmeric water and lavender aromatherapy. The research data obtained were analyzed by Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test α≤0.05. There is an effect of a combination of turmeric water and lavender aromatherapy on neck pain in batik craftsmen in Tuban with a value of α≤0.05, p = 0.000. The combination of turmeric water and lavender aromatherapy can reduce the level of neck pain in batik craftsmen with neck pain complaints.

A Soft Robotic Gripper With an Active Palm and Reconfigurable Fingers for Fully Dexterous In-Hand Manipulation

This study is focused on developing a new dexterous soft robotic gripper with three fingers and an active palm capable of performing in-hand manipulation purposes. This innovative design meets all the dexterous manipulation requirements without any increase in mechanical complexity. In each finger, the bending position can be modified and controlled by moving a stiff rod inserted inside the center hole of the finger. In this way, the effective length of the manipulation can be changed. As a result, these reconfigurable fingers provide a more accessible workspace than conventional soft grippers. Besides, a large diversity of the finger's shape configurations results in more dexterity and in-hand manipulation capability. Workspace analysis is accomplished to characterize the advantages of the proposed design. The effectiveness of this soft robotic gripper is validated by different in-hand manipulation experimental tests, including rotation, regrasping, and rolling. The results suggest a promising solution to bridge the design gap between hard and soft robots for dexterous manipulation tasks. The hybrid design carries advantages of these two classes, such as reconfigurability, position, and shape control from hard robots, with large degrees of freedom (DOFs), complex deformations, and lightweight from soft robots. Like human manipulation, the palm plays a major role in stable grasping, especially for enhancing the in-hand manipulation capability. Therefore, we also investigate two types of vacuum palms (suction cup and granular particles) to guarantee a wide range of object manipulation tasks that cannot be completely performed by previously suggested soft grippers.

Effects of Trunk Postures and Shoulder Flexion Angles on the Muscular Activity of Scapular Upward Rotators

The forward bending posture is a risk factor that can cause musculoskeletal injury for workers working in industry. Previous studies have been largely concerned with examining the effects of turtle neck, slouched posture, and kyphosis on the scapular upward rotators. However, no studies have investigated the effect of forward bending of the trunk on the scapular upward rotators to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of forward tilting of the trunk and the shoulder flexion angle on the muscular activity of the Upper trapezius. The participant population comprised of 10 male adults and 20 shoulders in total were assessed. To begin with, EMG electrodes were attached to the upper trapezius muscles. The participants were instructed to perform isometric shoulder flexion at 120° angles in upright standing and forward bending postures. The muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography to obtain a root mean square value and was expressed as a percentage of the mean maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). A paired t-test was used to determine the changes in muscle activity according to trunk posture and a shoulder flexion angle. A paired t-test was performed at α=.05. The result of Significant main effect for trunk posture was found for the upper trapezius muscles(p<.05). Additionally, a significant main effect for shoulder flexion angle was revealed in the upper trapezius muscles(p<.05). The results demonstrate that forward bending of the trunk may increase the activity of the upper trapezius. Therefore, industrial workers who manifest hyperactivation of the upper trapezius should maintain upright trunk posture while working.

Bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis of knee joint

Objective. Study the state of mineral bone density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint depending on the X-ray stage.Materials and methods. The study included 56 women between 44 and 75 years of age. The diagnosis of OA is established according to the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR, 1991). For comparative analysis, patients were divided into two groups, taking into account the radiological stage: the 1st with 38 women with I–II radiology stage, the 2nd with 18 patients with III–IV radiology stage. The X-ray of the knee joint in the anterior projection is performed in a fixed bending position using a special frame (SynaFlexer TM Plexiglass positioning frame, Synarc Inc., USA). The BMD is estimated by a two-energy X-ray absorption technique in the femoral neck and lumbar spine.Results. Osteopenic syndrome is diagnosed in 52 (92.8%) of the total number of patients, 27 (48.2%) have osteopenia and 25 (44.6%) have osteoporosis. Four women (7.1%) have a normal BMD. There is no statistically significant difference in the frequency of detection of the osteopenic syndrome between the groups studied (p &gt; 0.050). Statistically significant increases in BMD and T-criteria have been found as the OA progresses in both the femoral neck and the lumbar spine. The correlation analysis results show a significant positive correlation between the BMD femoral neck and the OA X-ray stage (r = 501; p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions. The data show the presence of the osteopenic syndrome in the vast majority in postmenopausal women with OA of the knee joint. The high BMD values of the femur neck and lumbar spine are associated with the late X-ray stages of the OA of the knee joint.

Evaluation of the Dynamic Trunk Motion of Scoliotic Patients Using Ultrasound-based Motion Analysis System

This study was investigated the effects of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on dynamic trunk motion using ultrasound-based motion analysis system. 15 subjects were participated in this study and divided into three groups according to the curve direction. Experimental procedure was divided into two sections: initial position, and left/right lateral bending position. To analyze the alteration of the trunk motion, ultrasound markers was represented the segments. There were significant differences in angle variation between left and right side during lateral bending for the scoliotic groups. In addition, angle differences between left and right side were decreased gradually according to the regions of scoliotic curvature. From these results, it was concluded that the direction and region of the abnormal lateral curvature can influence on dynamic trunk movement and postural balance. Furthermore, ultrasound-based motion analysis system can be utilized to detect asymmetrical balance and dynamic postural change of idiopathic scoliosis patients in adolescence.

Ex vivo Evaluation of the Dynamic Morphometry of the Caudal Cervical Intervertebral Disc Spaces of Small Dogs and Cats.

The objective of this study was to provide a morphometric description of the caudal cervical intervertebral disc (IVD) spaces of small-breed dogs and cats. Specimens consisting of C4 through C7 from five small-breed dogs and six cats were positioned in neutral, flexion, extension, and lateral bending positions; and CT images were acquired. Height and width of the cranial and caudal vertebral endplates (VEPs), angle between the VEPs (IVD wedge angle), and craniocaudal distance (IVD width) between VEPs for the four loading positions were measured and compared for three segments (C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7). VEP size normalized to body weight from medium-sized dogs was retrieved from a previous study and compared with data from small dogs and cats. A linear mixed model was used to compare outcome measures. Significance was set to p < 0.05. VEP size normalized to body weight was the largest in small dogs compared with cats (p = 0.0422) and medium-sized dogs (p = 0.0064). Cats and medium-sized dogs were similar (p = 0.2763) in this regard. Flexion and extension induced a reduction of IVD width in the ventral portion of the IVD and the area of the nucleus. The dorsal part of the IVD remained unchanged throughout loading conditions. Unique morphometric characteristics of the caudal cervical IVD space of small dogs and cats were detected that are different from those described in sizes of dogs (medium-sized) typically affected by caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM). These findings may help to understand the different pathomechanisms in cervical spinal disease between small- and medium-sized dogs, including caudal CSM.

Pain in German physiotherapists: an analysis of pain prevalence and analgesics intake

Abstract Background Healthcare professionals of different occupations report pain, in particular back pain. It is known that the handling of patients and standing for long periods of time – like physiotherapists do, as well as working in bent posture – are causes of back pain. A high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in German physiotherapists is to be expected. Objective To determine pain point prevalence, severity of pain, type of pain (acute, chronic, recurrent), most affected body locations and extent of analgesics intake in German physiotherapists. Method This was a nationwide online survey with German physiotherapists. Univariable and multivariable methods were applied to identify associations between sociodemographic variables and pain, type of pain and pain location as well as analgesic intake by type of pain. In addition, severity of pain by type was examined using the Kruska-Wallis Test. Results A total of 550 physiotherapists were included in the analysis. Prevalence of pain was 63.09 % (acute: 4.18 %, chronic: 15.27 %, recurrent: 43.64 %). Most frequently mentioned pain locations were lumbar spine (49.27 %), cervical spine (48.39 %) and head (40.47 %). Participants with chronic pain reported a higher pain severity than physiotherapists with recurrent pain. Analgesics were used by 35.29 % of study participants with pain. Participants with chronic pain indicated a significantly higher probability of using analgesics compared to physiotherapists with recurrent pain. Conclusion This study indicates a high prevalence of pain and analgesics intake in participating physiotherapists. Therefore, measures are needed to reduce pain in German physiotherapists.

Intervertebral disc-related occupational diseases of the lumbar and cervical spines

Intervertebral disc-related diseases of the cervical and lumbar spine are considered to be occupational diseases, if the occupational and medical prerequisites are fulfilled and the causal connection between the prerequisites is likely. The working conditions include occupational burdens with long-term lifting and carrying of heavy loads or long-term activities in an extremely bent position of the torso, long-term carrying of heavy loads on the shoulders and long-term effects of whole-body vibration in a sitting position. A medical prerequisite is fulfilled by a damage pattern with chronic lower back or neck pain and damage of the cervical or lumbar vertebrae in aconform manner.In the legal assessment the occupational conditions are examined by the preventive services of the statutory accident insurance and the medical conditions by the medical expert. Furthermore, the medical expert examines the causal connection between the fulfilled prerequisites, whereby the temporal connection (reaching the minimum load dose before realization of the conform damage pattern) and by exclusion of other competing factors are essential. As of 1 January 2021 the necessity to quit the burdening occupation has been omitted by law.

Residual ultimate strength of stiffened box girder with coupled damage of pitting corrosion and a crack under vertical bending moment

In this paper, the residual ultimate strength of stiffened box girder with coupled damage of pitting corrosion and a crack subjected to vertical bending moment was numerically investigated. Influences of the bending mode, crack length, angle and position as well as pit diameter, depth and density on the strength reduction characteristics were discussed. According to the finite element results, the ultimate strength decreases significantly with the increase of crack length when it is located in the primarily compressed area or destroys the connection of the panel and stiffener. Corroded volume loss is also a critical factor leading to the linear decline of ultimate strength. Superimposed strength reduction as a result of the pit and crack as they exist independently almost equals to the reduction induced by the coupled damage, indicting their effects can be simply composed. Four predictions as a function of actual/projected crack lengths and corroded volume loss were proposed to assess the residual strength of the girder with coupled damage.

Assessing Energy Expenditure in Female Healthcare Workers in a University Hospital.

The assessment of energy expenditure (EE) at workplaces maintains a central topic in occupational health due to increasing work-related issues. Today 80% of employees in the healthcare system are women. Limited research concerning their physical activity at work is available. The purpose of the study was the investigation of body composition, maximum physical capacity and quantification of physical work activity for female healthcare workers under real-time conditions. Occupational physical activity (PA) of 33 female healthcare workers in a university hospital was quantified. Health associate professionals (HAP), health professionals (HP), and females working from cleaners and helpers (CH) department participated. All underwent cardio pulmonary exercise test. For every working task VO2, VCO2 and RER were measured and EE was calculated individually for each task. Forty-two different working tasks were identified and grouped in seven categories to compare physical activity (PA): 'office and laboratory work', 'bedside patient care', 'instrument reprocessing, packing boxes', 'walking with patient, or alone', 'pushing carts or wheelchairs', 'strenuous cleaning in bent posture' and 'lifting heavy boxes, weights or items'. By comparing groups of healthcare workers, CH and HAP spent significant (p < 0.01) more EE (in kcal/min) 3.9 resp. 3.2 than HP 2.5. Light PA e.g. office and laboratory work (2.7 ± 0.6) and bedside patient care (2.9 ± 0.7) were accomplished by HP and HAP while HAP and CH performed moderate PA such as 'packing boxes' (3.6 ± 0.8), 'pushing carts' and 'strenuous cleaning' (4.7 ± 0.9). Work performed by CH and HAP, i.e. 'strenuous cleaning' and 'lifting heavy items' showed highest kcal per kg Fat Free Mass (FFM) per hour with 5.80 [4.05-7.81] and 6.94 [5.18-9.03] kcal/kgFFM/h. Our findings lend preliminary support to the hypothesis that the majority of activities in female healthcare workers were of low and moderate PA and can be accomplished by middle aged and even older female workers. CH performed tasks with heavy physical activities (PA) like cleaning and lifting heavy weights. HAP performed light/moderate PA below their maximum physical capacity.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Maize Seeding using Conventional Method and Lightweight Motorized Maize Seeder

Manual activity in maize seeding shows an awkward posture due to repetitive movement on walking forward, body lowering, knee bending, squatting, digging, and seed sowing, which can cause body tiring. These are the symptom of human fatigue or the ergonomic hazard in an agricultural field, leading to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) if done repeatedly and extended for a long time. The paper explained the ergonomic evaluation of seeding risk assessment using two methods; bare hand and lightweight motorized maize seeder. The evaluated maize seeder was designed with a minimum number of parts to make the assembly and maintenance requirements easy without affecting the functionality of the metering device. The maize seeder is easy to operate, light to carry, and convenient to use with a single-handed griper to improve ergonomics in the field. Using the concept of gravitational drop and the battery to power the motor, the farmer experiences a slightly bent body position with a relaxed posture that requires less stressful angles on seeding activity. Seeding postures on methods were evaluated using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) to determine the area of bodily discomfort. The RULA result shows that the ergonomic risk score on manual seeding activity was at score 7, which is high risk compared to seeding activity using the maize seeder, which results in a score of 4 that shows a low risk.In comparison, the REBA result shows a high risk on manual seeding with a score of 11 and a low risk on seeding with a seeder, which is in score 3—seeding by bare hand, adopting poor posture at the neck, trunk, and wrist twist. The work rate for seeding maize using the conventional method and seeder was 0.114 m/s and 0.167 m/s, respectively. The study concludes that using the lightweight motorized maize seeder can reduce the risks of MSDs due to working in an awkward posture in sowing maize on the field.