Effects of working posture and roof slope on activation of lower limb muscles during shingle installation

Awkward and extreme kneeling during roofing generates high muscular tension which can lead to knee musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among roofers. However, the combined impact of roof slope and kneeling posture on the activation of the knee postural muscles and their association to potential knee MSD risks among roofers have not been studied. The current study evaluated the effects of kneeling posture and roof slope on the activation of major knee postural muscles during shingle installation via a laboratory assessment. Maximum normalized electromyography (EMG) data were collected from knee flexor and extensor muscles of seven subjects, who mimicked the shingle installation process on a slope-configurable wooden platform. The results revealed a significant increase in knee muscle activation during simulated shingle installation on sloped rooftops. Given the fact that increased muscle activation of knee postural muscles has been associated with knee MSDs, roof slope and awkward kneeling posture can be considered as potential knee MSD risk factors. Practitioner Summary: This study demonstrated significant effects of roof slope and kneeling posture on the peak activation of knee postural muscles. The findings of this study suggested that residential roofers could be exposed to a greater risk of developing knee MSDs with the increase of roof slope during shingle installation due to increased muscle loading. Abbreviations: MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders; EMG: electromyography; ANOVA: analysis of variance; MNMA: maximum normalized muscle activation; RF: rectus femoris; VL: vastus lateralis; VM: vastus medialis; BF: biceps femoris; S: semitendinosus.