Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction

Work
and
health

COCRA Spring
Conference
May 22nd, 2010
Anaheim, CA

Rani Lueder, CPE

Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc.
www.humanics-es.com My grandmother, Mina Seeger:
rani@humanics-es.com 1920’s Boston court reporter on Sacco & Vanzetti case.
Humanics

We assume people will adapt to technologies

Somewhere, somehow,
something went terribly wrong…

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Discomfort rates at the end of work Notice anything about this picture?
(Only moderate to severe discomfort is shown below)
60%

50% Extreme
Pain
40%
Strong
30%

20% Moderate

10%

0%
Eyes Neck/sh Arm Up'r Back Low back Hands
Neck/shoulder (54%)
Eyes (48%)
Hands/wrists (40%)
Lower back (42%)
Upper back (34%) Lueder Survey Findings: 13,300 Respondents
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Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
2

Nobody is leaning back X-rays: Same person 20 years apart

Not only are people different, they change over their lives

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“There are more things in heaven and Earth,

Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy” Women sit differently
Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 5)

Photos courtesy of Cindy Burt, OTR/L, CPE

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… than men Centers of gravity

Courtesy of Cindy Burt, OTR, CPE Tichauer, E. R. (1978) Biomechanical basis of ergonomics: anatomy
Humanics applied to the design of work situations. Wiley, John & Sons, 99. Humanics

Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
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Centers of gravity Comfort ≠ what’s best

Pelvic tilt relates to

gender, aging and If posture is not supported,
obesity people usually sit and stand
in ways that will minimize
the amount of muscle work.

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Comfortable ≠ best Static postures Æ demineralization

ÅHealthy ligament

Damaged ligament (below)

Provenzano et al (2001)
Microstructural morphology
in the transition region.
Connective Tissue Research.
42, p123-133.
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Neutral postures? Keegan (1953)

z Balance muscle loads

z Reduce physical
demands Keegan performed
z Relieve physical stress repeated x-rays of
a single person
lying on their side.

Keegan, J.J. (1953) Alterations of the lumbar curve related to posture

Humanics and seating. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 35A, 3, 589-603. Humanics

Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
4

Keegan’s repeated x-rays of a single person Intradiscal pressures

Sitting Sitting
Standing
erect relaxed
Andersson, B. J.; Ortengren, R.; Nachemson, A.; Elfstrom, G. (1974)
Keegan, J.J. (1953) Alterations of the lumbar curve related to posture Lumbar disc pressure and myoelectric back muscle activity during sitting. I.
and seating. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 35A, 3, 589-603. Humanics Studies on an experimental chair. Scand J Rehabil Med. 6(3), 104-114. Humanics

Lumbar support

Intradiscal pressures

Wilke, H. J.; Neef, P.; Caimi, M.; Hoogland, T.; Claes, L. E. (1999) New in
vivo measurements of pressures in the intervertebral disc in daily life.
Spine. 24(8), 755-762. Humanics Humanics

Shifts in posture changes the dynamics Dynamic back support

Corlett & Eklund (1984) How does a backrest work?

Applied Ergonomics. 15(2), 111-114. Humanics Humanics

Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
5

Seat pivot Head support

Dunk, N. M.; Callaghan, J. P. (2005) Gender-based differences in postural responses to

seated exposures. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 20(10), 1101-1110. Humanics Humanics

Seat height “Rotatory” movements

and depth

van Deursen, D. L.; Lengsfeld, M.; Snijders, C. J.; Evers, J. J.;

Goossens, R. H. (2000) Mechanical effects of continuous passive
Humanics motion on the lumbar spine in seating. J Biomech. 33(6), 695-699. Humanics

Seat compression and edema Too many tunnels

Symptoms are
Movement
complicated and
promotes
unpredictable
circulation and
elimination of
waste products.

Humanics 30 Humanics

Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
6

JFK’s rocking chair SwingChair.com

www.SwingChair.com
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Variable Balans Seat pan tilt

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Postural support Multi Balans

www.humanics-es.com/sit-stand-seating.htm www.varierfurniture.com
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Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
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Open postures Risk factors

Screw up one thing,

screw up everything!

Best
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Avoid constrained postures Fit?

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Fit? Fit?

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Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
8

Fit? Forearm support

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Physical risk factors What risk factors do you see?

1. Awkward postures
2. Constrained postures
3. Force (e.g. impact sharp edges)
4. Repetition
Secondary factors
• Environment (vibration and cold)
• Personal risk factors
(e.g., small carpal tunnel)

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Good postures are... Motions and Postures

z Centered Design for movement

z Symmetrical z Avoid twisted positions, esp. trunk and neck
z Avoid forward bending of trunk and neck
z Provide support
z Avoid static postures, esp. at extremes
z Promote free movement z Avoid holding arms raised
(but not repetition)

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Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics

Lifespan Ergonomics: Introduction
9

What can you do? Driving

Sleeping on your back:

…put pillows under knees

Sleeping on your side:

… and support your neck with
…put pillows between knees
Driving to and from work every day greatly
either a rolled-up towel or increases the risk of back injury.
neck pillow.
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What you can do? Pay attention to warning signs!

Don’t take discomfort for granted!

It’s easy to prevent injuries, but hard to recover.
1. Support your back while driving.
2. Readjust your seat positions regularly.
If it hurts, stop!
3. On long trips, take rest breaks.
• Give yourself a chance to recover
4. If your car seat isn’t comfortable, consider seat before it gets serious.
and neck supports for driving. • Use ice packs
5. Avoid cell phones while driving. Æ reduce swelling.
• Avoid loading affected joints.
• If pain continues
Æ talk to your physician
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To download handouts / copy of slides…

Work and health

www.humanicsergosystems.com/cocra.htm COCRA Spring

Conference
May 22nd, 2010
Anaheim, CA

Rani Lueder, CPE

Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc.
www.humanics-es.com
Humanics rani@humanics-es.com Humanics

Rani Lueder, CPE / Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. Humanics