Knee Extension Exercise Effects on Physiological and Psychophysical Performance: Normal Weight Versus Obese Office Workers.

Background: Knee extension exercise is useful and practical for obese and overweight people as this form of exercise is effective in minimizing body weight loading on joints and improving the body's physiological function. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters of office workers while computer-based working in an active workstation equipped with an active footrest (AFR) prototype with a mechanism for performing knee extension exercises in a sitting position, and also to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters among normal-weight and obese office workers.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, the physiological parameters of heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) (measured with the Fitbit Charge HR smartwatch) were measured in two cross-over random sessions for 32 office workers (16 normal-weight and 16 obese) aged 28 to 50 years ( = 42.

Designing and usability testing of a new prototype active footrest for knee extension exercise among office workers.

The active factor along with light exercise can reduce static muscle work and increase muscle flexibility and endurance. Accordingly, this study aimed to design and prototype a new active footrest, implemented in conventional sitting workstations, and to test its usability among office workers. The steps taken to design and prototype the active footrest were: selection of an exercise appropriate for goals of ergonomic interventions; idea development; selection of the best conceptual design; design with SOLIDWORKS version 2016; and fabrication of a prototype.

The Relationship of Grip and Pinch Strength to Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Carpet Weavers in Southeastern Iran, 2019.

Background: The repetitive and prolonged exertion of grip and pinch strength are current among carpet weaver tasks. The three objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the relationship between symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and grip and pinch strength of carpet weavers in carpet weaving workshops in Kerman province, (2) to compare the grip and pinch strength of carpet weavers with normal values, and (3) to identify the relationship between hand postures of carpet weavers during work and force exertion.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, grip strength and key, tip and palmar pinch strengths of 101 female carpet weavers aged 20 to 71 years were measured in Kerman province, in 2018.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Dental Professionals as Determined by Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method in 2014.

Statement Of The Problem: In dentistry, incorrect working posture is the most important cause of musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to evaluate the work postures of general dentists and specialists using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method.

Materials And Method: In this cross-sectional study, work postures were assessed in 90 dentists by employing REBA method.

Investigation of grip and pinch strengths in Iranian adults and their correlated anthropometric and demographic factors.

Background: Grip and pinch strength measurement is important for objective evaluation of the function of the upper extremities in upper limbs injuries treatment and also for ergonomists as a way of optimizing the requirements of hand tool design.

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the correlation of anthropometric and demographic factors with hand strength as well as to develop regression models for grip and three types of pinch strengths including Tip, Key and Palmar in Iranian adult population.

Methods: The study population consisted of 1008 Iranian adults aged 20 to 107 years.

Musculoskeletal risk assessment in small furniture manufacturing workshops.

In Iran, furniture is mainly manufactured in small workshops, where most activities are performed manually. This study was conducted among workers of furniture workshops to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and to assess ergonomic working conditions to identify major risk factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. In this study, 410 randomly selected furniture workers participated.