Novel test conditions for examining internal loading as affected by external loading factors related to ergonomics equipment design

本项目旨在探讨在各种重复性身体活动中，四肢的外部负荷如何转化为这些四肢主要关节和肌肉的内部负荷水平。所获得的信息将指导未来的设备设计和工程，以提高人类的工作效率，减少身体伤害，如过度使用综合症。具体来说，我们的目标是定量确定a）负荷强度，B）负荷时间，c）负荷模式，和d）姿势对手臂和腿的内部负荷水平的影响。软组织损伤（职业或娱乐）影响到加拿大人口的很大一部分，造成健康和社会问题。由于我们缺乏对生物力学的理解，许多为重复性身体能力的生物增强而设计的专业设备都有很多不足之处。本研究旨在通过提高个人意识和设备的人机工程学设计来降低重复性伤害的水平。将应用同步测试单元（3D运动捕捉、力测量和EMG）。运动捕捉提供了对象运动的定量运动学描述。力测量提供了人体和接触表面之间的相互作用。这些数据作为生物力学模型的输入，该模型确定关节和肌肉上的内部载荷。EMG捕捉肌肉活动，提供肌肉群协调和神经控制的时间信息。研究的新奇在于外部加载条件。这将是第一次在小提琴和中提琴演奏过程中的内部负荷进行对比。这种比较对于设备设计是非常可取的，因为这两种仪器在形式和性能技术上都是相同的;唯一的区别是它们的尺寸。因此，比较将提供一个明确的结论的影响，内部负载的大小。对于下肢，我们将使用一种新开发的向前和向后踩踏发电自行车（由PI设计），无论踩踏方向如何，都能为自行车产生向前的动力。它提供了一个难得的机会，探索组合的影响，向前和向后踏板和未来的自行车设计。

This project aims to explore how external loading on the limbs during a variety of repetitive physical activities translates to internal load levels in major joints and muscles of these extremities. The information obtained will guide future design and engineering of equipment meant to increase human performance efficiency and to reduce physical injuries such as Overuse Syndrome. Specifically, our objectives are to quantitatively determine the effects of a) load intensity, b) load time, c) load pattern, and d) posture on internal load levels of the arms and legs. Soft tissue injuries (vocational or recreational) affect a significant portion of Canada's population, creating both health and social problems. Due to our lack of understanding of biomechanics, much of the professional equipment designed for biological enhancement of repetitive physical capabilities leaves much to be desired. This research aims to reduce the level of repetitive injuries by improving personal awareness and the ergonomic design of equipment. A synchronized test unit (3D motion capture, force measurement & EMG) will be applied. Motion capture supplies quantitative kinematic description of a subject's movement. Force measurements provide the interaction between the human body and the contact surface. These data serve as input for a biomechanical model, which determines the internal loads on joints and muscles. EMG captures muscle activity, providing information on the timing of muscle group coordination and neural control. The novelty of the research lies in the external loading conditions. It will be the first time that internal loads during violin versus viola performances are contrasted. Such a comparison is highly desirable for equipment design because the 2 instruments are identical in both form and performance techniques; the only difference is their size. Thus the comparison will provide a clear conclusion on the effect of size on internal loading. For lower extremities, we will be using a newly developed forward-and-backward-pedaling-power-generation bicycle (designed by PI) that generates forward-power for the bike irrespective of the pedaling direction. It provides a rare opportunity to explore the effects of combinations of forward & backward pedaling and future bike design.