Overview
Keywords: Age, Prolonged sitting, Low back pain, Passive torso stiffness
Timeline: September 2016 -
Researchers: Kristina M. Gruevski (Primary Investigator, University of Waterloo), Jack P. Callaghan (University of Waterloo)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Seed Grant
Sector/Workplace type: Various industrial sectors and sedentary occupations
Theme:
Theme
1
Mechanisms
Background/rationale
Older workers make up a large percentage of the workforce for many sedentary jobs. Changes to the spine occur during the aging process and that exposure to prolonged sitting can lead to low back pain. However, how age affects an individual’s response to prolonged sitting has not been thoroughly investigated and is the main goal of this study.
Research questions/objectives/methods
The focus of this study is whether age influences spine stiffness, postures and discomfort temporally in response to prolonged sitting. Any sex differences will also be analyzed as a secondary objective. A sample of 36 participants of equal proportion old, young, male and female will be recruited. They will perform seated tasks that imitate an office setting. Muscle activity, spine position, passive torso stiffness and perceived discomfort following one and two hours of sitting will be measured.
Key findings
In progress
Implications for the prevention of MSD
In progress
Knowledge dissemination
In progress
For more information please contact callaghan@uwaterloo.ca