Date of Graduation
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Industrial and Managements Systems Engineering
Committee Chair
Ashish D Nimbarte
Committee Co-Chair
Majid Jaridi
Committee Member
Xiaopeng Ning
Abstract
Shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) put a huge burden on both employers and employees due to lost work days, healthcare costs and human suffering. Static and heavy industrial work, submaximal repetitive movement and arm elevation are frequently associated with shoulder MSDs. Previous studies indicated that factors such as force exertion levels, posture and hand gripping can influence the activation and fatigability of shoulder muscles. In this study, we explored the inter-muscle difference in shoulder activation during isometric/static force exertions. We suspected that shoulder muscles' attempt to stabilize the glenohumeral joint using the concavity compression mechanism may explain differences in the muscle activation pattern during shoulder exertions. Ten right-hand dominant male participants performed a 60 second static shoulder exertion using three force levels (10, 7.5 and 5 lbs.) in five directions (back, down, left, right and up). Results showed that muscle activity and fatigability were affected by force level and force exertion direction. Muscle exertion and fatigability were highly affected by 10lbs. force exertion. The findings of this study suggest that, during static shoulder exertion, pulling in up and right directions result in the highest muscle activity and fatigability.
Recommended Citation
Alasim, Hamad Nasser, "Quantification of Stabilization Efforts of Shoulder Muscles using Surface Electromyography" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 5048.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/5048