Trunk Posture Exposure Patterns among Prairie Ranch and Grain Farmers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Agricultural Safety

Background:

• Low back disorders (LBD) are prevalent among farmers, often linked to awkward trunk postures during manual tasks.
• The impact of increasing agricultural mechanization on trunk-intensive tasks and farmer LBD risk remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare trunk posture patterns in prairie farmers on machine-intensive versus non-intensive work days.
• To investigate the relationship between agricultural mechanization and trunk biomechanics.

Main Methods:

• Forty-nine farmers' trunk angles and velocities were measured using inertial sensors.
• Posture data was collected over 91 work days, categorized into driving, manual, and mixed tasks.
• Trunk bending was analyzed for magnitude, duration, and frequency.

Main Results:

• Manual tasks exhibited significantly higher trunk flexion-extension angles and velocities compared to driving tasks.
• Farmers spent 38% of work time in forward trunk flexion ≥ 20°, a potential LBD risk factor.
• Machine-intensive workdays were associated with less awkward trunk postures and lower velocities.

Conclusions:

• Increased agricultural mechanization appears to reduce exposure to awkward trunk postures and high velocities.
• Future research should focus on occupational exposures related to machinery operation and automation in farming.