The Effect of an Orthotic Device for Balancing Neck Muscles During Daily Office Tasks
| Autor: | Fabio Pigozzi, Andrea Macaluso, Alessandra di Cagno, Federico Quinzi, Martina Scalia, Maurizio Casasco, Arrigo Giombini |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Orthotic Devices medicine.medical_specialty Human Factors and Ergonomics Acute effect Young Adult 03 medical and health sciences Behavioral Neuroscience 0302 clinical medicine Lumbar Physical medicine and rehabilitation Neck Muscles medicine Humans Muscle activity Applied Psychology Balance (ability) Sitting Position 030222 orthopedics Single use Computers Electromyography business.industry Back Muscles Lumbosacral Region Middle Aged Neck muscles Orthotic device Female Ergonomics business 030217 neurology & neurosurgery Muscle Contraction |
| Zdroj: | Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. 61:722-735 |
| ISSN: | 1547-8181 0018-7208 |
| Popis: | Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the acute effect of the combined and single use of two orthotic devices (neck balance system [NBS] and lumbar support [LS]) on muscle activity of neck and back muscles during typical computer working tasks. Background: An excessive activation of neck muscles could threaten the balance between agonist and antagonist muscles, resulting in a lower stability of the head and possibly leading to neck pain. At present, no study evaluated the effect of a specific orthotic device in reducing neck muscles activation. Methods: Surface electromyography (sEMG) from neck flexor (sternocleidomastoid [SCMD]) and extensor muscles (semispinalis capitis [SPC]) and back extensor muscles (erector spinae [ERS]) of 20 healthy individuals was recorded during three computer working tasks performed with the NBS, with NBS and LS, with the LS, and without devices (ND). Results: In the NBS condition, the SPC showed a reduced activation (NBS = 3.97%; NBS + LS = 4.49%; LS = 4.48%; ND = 4.61% of the maximal voluntary contraction) compared to the other conditions. Conclusions: The use of the NBS promotes a reduction of neck extensor muscles, possibly due to the inertial mass added in the occipital part of the head, producing an external neck extensor moment that cooperates with that produced by neck extensor muscles. Application: Orthotic devices such as the NBS may be used by computer workers to reduce the activation of their neck extensor muscles and possible risks of developing neck pain. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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