Use of EMG in a kinesiological study in industry

The study was conducted in an automobile upholstery plant which manufactures interior trim panels and seat covers. The job was one which required workers to lean repetitively across a 965 mm (38 in) high flat table-like die while securing sheets of material to the die. Two employees in the embossing department volunteered to participate in a comparative evaluation of the accumulation of low back fatigue from working for a full day using a die with a 914 mm (35 in) maximum reach requirement versus that of a die with a 813 mm (32 in) maximum reach requirement. Electromyography (EMG) of the low back muscles was the measure used for the evaluation. EMG recordings from static muscular contractions were made at selected intervals for an 8 h work day while maintaining normal production. Integrated EMG amplitude and power frequency shifts formed the bases for comparison. The integrated EMG amplitude increase over the course of the day was 47% and 100%, respectively, for the two subjects while working with the 813 mm (32 in) die; the respective EMG amplitude increases for the day while working with the 914 mm (36 in) die were 83% and 263%. None of the power frequency shifts exceeded a predetermined minimum level considered necessary to indicate fatigue. As a result of this study, the plant reduced as much as possible the maximum reach required on every die in the embossing department in order to reduce worker fatigue.