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

本项目旨在探索在各种重复性身体活动中，肢体上的外部负荷如何转化为这些肢体主要关节和肌肉的内部负荷水平。获得的信息将指导未来设备的设计和工程，旨在提高人类的工作效率，减少身体伤害，如过度使用综合症。具体而言，我们的目标是定量确定a)负载强度，b)负载时间，c)负载模式和d)姿势对手臂和腿部内部负载水平的影响。软组织损伤（职业性或娱乐性）影响了加拿大很大一部分人口，造成了健康和社会问题。由于我们缺乏对生物力学的理解，许多为生物增强重复性身体能力而设计的专业设备还有很多需要改进的地方。本研究旨在通过提高个人意识和设备的人体工程学设计来降低重复伤害的水平。将采用同步测试单元（3D动作捕捉、力测量和肌电图）。动作捕捉提供对象运动的定量运动学描述。力测量提供了人体与接触面之间的相互作用。这些数据作为生物力学模型的输入，该模型决定了关节和肌肉的内部负荷。肌电图捕捉肌肉活动，提供肌肉群协调和神经控制的时间信息。本研究的新颖之处在于外载荷条件。这将是第一次对比小提琴和中提琴演奏时的内部负荷。这种比较对于设备设计是非常可取的，因为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大小。因此，比较将提供一个明确的结论，尺寸对内部荷载的影响。对于下肢，我们将使用一种新开发的向前和向后蹬踏发电自行车（由PI设计），无论蹬踏方向如何，都可以为自行车产生向前动力。它提供了一个难得的机会来探索向前和向后踩踏板的组合和未来的自行车设计的影响。

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.