Interaction between Trunk and Wrist Kinetics and Kinematics during a Simulated Pruning Task

Abstract

Winegrape vine pruning require repetitive gripping and awkward body postures. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of cutting height and forearm posture on trunk and wrist posture, force production, and muscle activities during simulated vine pruning. Ten healthy subjects (3 female and 7 male) participated in the study. Subjects cut dowels simulating shoots with pruning shears at 5 cutting heights tailored to subject anthropometry at three forearm postures. Trunk and wrist kinematics, force exertion, and forearm EMG were monitored. The results showed significant change in force exertion; and trunk and wrist kinematics in stature and knee cutting heights. The information from this study could assist in ergonomic trellis design, injury prevention, and manual labor work guidelines.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Armstrong

T. J.

Buckle

(1993). A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health, 19(2), 73–84.

California Agricultural Statistics Service. (2004). California Grape Acreage, 2003. Sacramento, CA: California Agricultural Statistics Service.

Kato

A. E.

Fathallah

F. A.

(2006). Ergonomic Evaluation of Winegrape Trellis Systems Pruning Operation. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 12(1), 17–28.

McCurdy

S. A.

Carroll

D. J.

(2000). Agricultural injury. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 38(4), 463–480.

Meyers

J. M.

Miles

J. A.

(1998). Ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal disorder in wine grape vineyard work. Retrieved April 7, 2004, from http://agergo.ucdavis.edu/papers/vineyardjmm.htm.

National Research Council (U.S.) Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace, I. o. M. U. S. (2001). Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace: low back and upper extremities. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

NIOSH. (2004). Worker Health Chartbook 2004. Cincinnati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Roquelaure

Gabignon

(2001). Transient hand paresthesias in Champagne vineyard workers. Am J Ind Med, 40(6), 639–645.

Zipp

(1982). Recommendations for the standardization of lead positions in surface electromyography. European Journal of Applied Physiology & Occupational Physiology, 50(1), 41–54.