Deep learning enables accurate soft tissue tendon deformation estimation in vivo via ultrasound imaging.

Image-based deformation estimation is an important tool used in a variety of engineering problems, including crack propagation, fracture, and fatigue failure. These tools have been important in biomechanics research where measuring in vitro and in vivo tissue deformations are important for evaluating tissue health and disease progression. However, accurately measuring tissue deformation in vivo is particularly challenging due to limited image signal-to-noise ratio.

Shoulder kinematics during cyclic overhead work are affected by a passive arm support exoskeleton.

Purpose: We investigated the influence of passive arm-support exoskeleton (ASE) with different levels of torque (50, 75, and 100%) on upper arm osteokinematics.

Methods: Twenty participants completed a cyclic overhead drilling task with and without ASE. Task duration, joint angles, and angular acceleration peaks were analyzed during ascent and descent phases of the dominant upper arm.

Factors Associated With Reporting Attitudes of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Direct Care Workers in South Korea.

Background: Workers' reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses is important for treatment and prevention, yet research often focuses on reporting barriers. This study aimed to identify factors related to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) reporting attitudes and their connection to reporting intention and behavior.

Methods: We analyzed data from 377 direct care workers employed in 19 long-term care facilities in South Korea.

Perceived benefits, barriers, perceptions, and readiness to use exoskeletons in the construction industry: Differences by demographic characteristics.

Exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising wearable intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks among construction workers. However, the adoption of EXOs may differ with demographic characteristics. Survey data (n = 361) were collected from construction industry stakeholders and a summation score method was used to summarize respondent's benefits and barriers to EXO use, along with perceptions and readiness to use.

Understanding contributing factors to exoskeleton use-intention in construction: a decision tree approach using results from an online survey.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major health concern in the construction industry. Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising ergonomic intervention to help reduce WMSD risk. Their adoption, however, has been low in construction.

Movement Behavior and Health Outcomes among Sedentary Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Sedentary behavior, which is highly prevalent among office workers, is associated with multiple health disorders, including those of the musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic systems. Although prior studies looked at postures or physical activity during work or leisure time, few analyzed both posture and movement throughout the entire day.

Objective: This cross-sectional pilot study examined the movement behavior of sedentary office workers during both work and leisure time to explore its association with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and cardiometabolic health indicators.

Comparison of the observer, single-frame video and computer vision hand activity levels.

Observer, manual single-frame video, and automated computer vision measures of the Hand Activity Level (HAL) were compared. HAL can be measured three ways: (1) observer rating (HAL), (2) calculated from single-frame multimedia video task analysis for measuring frequency (F) and duty cycle (D) (HAL), or (3) from automated computer vision (HAL). This study analysed videos collected from three prospective cohort studies to ascertain HAL, HAL, and HAL for 419 industrial videos.

Assessment of cardiovascular load among hotel room cleaners.

Hotel room cleaners are a vulnerable population at risk for cardiovascular disease. To evaluate their workload heart rate (HR), % heart rate reserve (%HRR), blood pressure (BP), metabolic equivalent (MET), and energy expenditure (EE) were measured over two workdays and two off-workdays. The mean age was 45.

The Association Between Forceful Hand Exertions and Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck and Shoulder: A Prospective Cohort Study of US Manufacturing Workers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate associations between biomechanical exposures and workplace neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (NSMSDs) in a prospective cohort.

Methods: Manufacturing workers (N = 349) were followed for 28 months. Biomechanical exposures were collected on each individual, and physical examinations were performed every 4 months.

Postural strategies among office workers during a prolonged sitting bout.

Sedentary behavior has increased steadily over prior decades, primarily due to increased computer use at work and at home. The total sedentary time per day has been associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases; increased sitting time at work has been associated with musculoskeletal discomfort particularly in the low back. Office workers spend many hours sitting, thus efforts to increase movement through changes of posture (sit to stand) or moving while sitting have been proposed as ways to mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sitting.

Occupational risk factors for work disability following carpal tunnel syndrome: a pooled prospective study.

Background: Although recent studies have identified important risk factors associated with incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), risk factors associated with its severity have not been well explored.

Objective: To examine the associations between personal, workplace psychosocial and biomechanical factors and incident work disability among workers with CTS.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2010 five research groups conducted coordinated prospective studies of CTS and related work disability among US workers from various industries.

Hand Posture and Force Estimation Using Surface Electromyography and an Artificial Neural Network.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an approach to predict hand posture (pinch versus grip) and grasp force using forearm surface electromyography (sEMG) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) during tasks that varied repetition rate and duty cycle.

Background: Prior studies have used electromyography with machine learning models to predict grip force but relatively few studies have assessed whether both hand posture and force can be predicted, particularly at varying levels of duty cycle and repetition rate.

Method: Fourteen individuals participated in this experiment.

Heavy Load Carrying and Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse among Women in Tanzania and Nepal: An Exploratory Study.

Heavy load carrying of water, firewood, and sand/stones is a ubiquitous activity for women living in developing countries. Although the intra-abdominal pressure associated with heavy load carrying is hypothesized to increase the risk of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among women, relevant epidemiologic data are lacking. We conducted a comparative study involving two exploratory cross-sectional studies among convenience samples of women carrying heavy loads, with different characteristics: (1) as part of their activities for daily living, in Shinyanga region, Tanzania; and (2) working as sand miners in Pokhara, Nepal.

Analysis of the external acoustic meatus for ergonomic design: part II - anthropometric variations of the external acoustic meatus by sex, age and side in Chinese population.

For devices worn inside the ear, detailed anthropometric data of the external acoustic meatus (EAM) is needed, yet lacking due to the complex and costly methodology associated with attaining such measurements. The purpose of this study was to provide the anthropometric characteristics of the EAM including variations by age group, sex, and side (right/left). 1400 external ears (700 Chinese subjects) were casted and scanned.

Analysis of the external acoustic meatus for ergonomic design: part I - measurement of the external acoustic meatus using casting, scanning and rapid estimation approaches.

Numerous ear-related wearables require precise measurements of the external acoustic meatus (EAM) to optimise function and comfort. The purpose of this study is to describe a novel methodology for measuring the EAM. A total of 23 measurement variables (18 novel) of the EAM from the entrance to the second bend were collected on 700 Chinese subjects (age: 15-83) using casting and 3D scanning over seven age spans: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 s and 70+.

Biomechanical risk factors associated with distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in endoscopists performing colonoscopy.

Background And Aims: Endoscopists experience upper extremity musculoskeletal injuries. The primary aim of this study was to compare distal upper extremity biomechanical risk factors during colonoscopy with established risk thresholds. Secondary aims were to determine which subtasks during colonoscopy are associated with the greatest risk and to evaluate an intervention to reduce risks.

The Impact of Heavy Load Carrying on Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Among Women in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania.

Background: Heavy load carrying has been associated with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and disability. However, there is a lack of research investigating this association in resource-constrained settings where heavy load carrying by women is common.

Objectives: We assessed the impact of heavy load carrying on musculoskeletal pain and disability among women in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania, in an exploratory cross-sectional study.

The ergonomic impact of a mattress lift tool and bottom sheet type on hotel room cleaners while making beds.

The purpose of this study was to quantify biomechanical and cardiovascular exposure while making beds with and without interventions (mattress lift tool and fitted sheet). Sixteen female hotel room cleaners participated in this multifactorial (tool and sheet) laboratory study of crossover design. Exertion in the upper extremity (<2) and back (<3) was consistently lower when using the tool and fitted sheet (p < 0.

Modeling the Effect of the 2018 Revised ACGIH Hand Activity Threshold Limit Value (TLV) at Reducing Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Recent studies have shown the 2001 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Hand Activity was not sufficiently protective for workers at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These studies led to a revision of the TLV and Action Limit. This study compares the effect of applying the 2018 TLV vs.

Incident CTS in a large pooled cohort study: associations obtained by a Job Exposure Matrix versus associations obtained from observed exposures.

Background: There is growing use of a job exposure matrix (JEM) to provide exposure estimates in studies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders; few studies have examined the validity of such estimates, nor did compare associations obtained with a JEM with those obtained using other exposures.

Objective: This study estimated upper extremity exposures using a JEM derived from a publicly available data set (Occupational Network, O*NET), and compared exposure-disease associations for incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with those obtained using observed physical exposure measures in a large prospective study.

Methods: 2393 workers from several industries were followed for up to 2.

Sit-stand workstations and impact on low back discomfort: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sit-stand workstations are proposed solutions to reduce sedentary time at work. Numerous companies are using them to mitigate health concerns such as musculoskeletal discomfort.

Objective: To review the literature on sit-stand workstations and low back discomfort.

Measuring exertion time, duty cycle and hand activity level for industrial tasks using computer vision.

Two computer vision algorithms were developed to automatically estimate exertion time, duty cycle (DC) and hand activity level (HAL) from videos of workers performing 50 industrial tasks. The average DC difference between manual frame-by-frame analysis and the computer vision DC was -5.8% for the Decision Tree (DT) algorithm, and 1.

Biomechanical and psychosocial exposures are independent risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome: assessment of confounding using causal diagrams.

Background: Between 2001 and 2010, six research groups conducted coordinated prospective studies of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) incidence among US workers from various industries to estimate exposure-response relationships.

Objective: This analysis examined the presence and magnitude of confounding between biomechanical and workplace psychosocial factors and incidence of dominant-hand CTS.

Methods: 1605 participants, without CTS at enrolment, were followed for up to 3.

Associations between workplace factors and carpal tunnel syndrome: A multi-site cross sectional study.

Background: Few large epidemiologic studies have used rigorous case criteria, individual-level exposure measurements, and appropriate control for confounders to examine associations between workplace psychosocial and biomechanical factors and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Pooling data from five independent research studies, we assessed associations between prevalent CTS and personal, work psychosocial, and biomechanical factors while adjusting for confounders using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Prevalent CTS was associated with personal factors of older age, obesity, female sex, medical conditions, previous distal upper extremity disorders, workplace measures of peak forceful hand activity, a composite measure of force and repetition (ACGIH Threshold Limit Value for Hand Activity Level), and hand vibration.