ORIGINAL PAPER
Assessment of shoulder
and low back muscle activity
of male kitchen workers
using surface electromyography
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1
Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai, Tamil Nadu, India
(Department of Mechatronics Engineering)
2
Saveetha Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
(Department of Mechanical Engineering)
3
University of Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(National Institute of Scientific Research, Energy Materials Telecommunications Research Centre)
Online publication date: 2017-09-20
Corresponding author
Shankar Subramaniam
Kongu Engineering College, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Thoppupalayam, Perundurai, Tamil Nadu 638060, India
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018;31(1):81-90
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aims to assess muscle fatigue for kitchen workers during various tasks in a kitchen. Material and Methods: This study consists of 2 phases: a) surface electromyography (EMG) to determine muscle fatigue of trapezius
and erector spinae muscles bilaterally for 12 healthy male volunteers during 30 min of Indian flatbread (chapati) preparation,
b) self-administered questionnaire study after 30 min preparation to determine the impact on performance. Results: Surface EMG results show that the right trapezius muscle had significantly higher fatigue during kneading, rolling and
roasting tasks. Similarly, right erector spinae muscle showed significantly higher fatigue during rolling and roasting tasks. Conclusions: Both phases of the study conclude that, even though the dynamic postural adjustment may reduce fatigue
during the work schedule; the combination of risk factors like the repetitive task, forceful exertion and prolonged standing
during working results in a high risk of developing muscle fatigue. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):81–90