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Biomechanical strains on the hand-wrist system during grapevine pruning.

Yves Roquelaure1, Corinne Dano, Gaétan Dusolier

  • 1Consultation de pathologie professionnelle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 49033 Angers Cedex, France. yvroquelaure@chu-angers.fr

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|October 10, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Vineyard workers experience high biomechanical strain on their hands and wrists during pruning due to repetitive tasks. This physical exposure likely contributes to the prevalence of hand disorders in this occupation.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Biomechanics
  • Ergonomics

Background:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders of the hand are prevalent among vineyard workers.
  • Grapevine pruning is a physically demanding task with potential for high hand-wrist strain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the biomechanical strains on the hand-wrist system during grapevine pruning.
  • To understand the relationship between pruning tasks and the high prevalence of hand disorders in vineyard workers.

Main Methods:

  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) measured flexor digitorum muscle activity.
  • Wrist posture was analyzed in six healthy vineyard workers.
  • Tasks were performed using standard hand-powered pruning shears.

Main Results:

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  • Pruning resulted in high biomechanical strains on the hand-wrist system.
  • Mean sEMG activity was 23.5% of maximal voluntary handgrip contraction (MVC).
  • A significant percentage of cuts involved extreme wrist flexion/extension and ulnar deviation, often combined with high muscular activity.

Conclusions:

  • The repetitive nature of pruning imposes substantial biomechanical loads on the hand-wrist system.
  • High physical exposure during pruning explains the elevated incidence of hand disorders.
  • Ergonomic pruning shears are recommended to reduce exertion and awkward wrist postures.