Overview
Key words: Physical demands; body composition; obesity; shoulder; low back
Timeline: November 2015 - present
Researchers: Clark Dickerson (Principal Investigator, University of Waterloo), Jack Callaghan (University of Waterloo), Marina Mourtzakis (University of Waterloo), Meghan Vidt (Arizona State University)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Seed grant
Partners: Ford Motor Company; Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)
Sector/Workplace type: Manufacturing sector
Theme:
Theme
2
Risk
Factors
Background/rationale
Nearly two thirds of Canadian adults are classified as overweight or obese. Increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with greater numbers of missed work days, decreased productivity, and an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury, particularly to the shoulders and back. Despite these and similarly statistics, little work has explored the root causes of these outcomes. Therefore, our objective is to explore how high BMI modifies work task performance and musculoskeletal exposures.
Research question/objectives/methods
- Which aspects of manual material handling task or workspace design can be altered to reduce musculoskeletal injury exposures and better accommodate overweight and obese individuals?
- What is the joint loading of each work task for the different BMI levels?
- What is the effect of each work task parameter on perceived discomfort?
- Is there a trade-off between low back loading and upper extremity exposures due to altered motion related to elevated BMI?
Experimental methods will include: anthropometric measurements, motion capture, functional strength testing, and perceived discomfort during various manual materials handling tasks.
Key findings
In progress
Implications for the prevention of MSD
This project will lead to recommendations to help design manual materials handling tasks to reduce musculoskeletal exposures for individuals with high BMI and give data for future design efforts.
Knowledge dissemination
Knowledge dissemination will include: conference presentations, peer-reviewed academic articles, webpage, and direct communication with industrial and academic partners.