TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of weight distribution in a handle of a cordless stick-type vacuum cleaner
T2 - Muscle activity and subjective discomfort of the upper limb
AU - Kang, Eunchae
AU - Yu, Hayeon
AU - Chang, Joonho
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2020/11
Y1 - 2020/11
N2 - This study investigated muscle activity and discomfort of the upper limb as a function of weight distributions in a handle of a cordless stick-type vacuum cleaner. Seventeen female college students with the experience of vacuum cleaner-use were recruited for testing. Handle mock-ups with five different centers of mass (top front, top rear, bottom front, bottom rear, and center) were manufactured, and muscle activity (electromyography) and discomfort (Borg CR10) were measured during vacuuming with the mock-ups. The results showed that the %MVC of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (p = 0.0155) and Upper Trapezius (p = 0.0228) decreased when the center of mass moved from the bottom to top of the mock-up. However, the %MVC of the Biceps Brachii had reverse propensities under the same conditions (p = 0.0151). Meanwhile, the discomfort on the hand (p = 0.0080), upper arm (p = 0.0160), shoulder (p = 0.0112), and neck (p = 0.0226) decreased when the center of mass moved from the bottom to top of the mock-up.
AB - This study investigated muscle activity and discomfort of the upper limb as a function of weight distributions in a handle of a cordless stick-type vacuum cleaner. Seventeen female college students with the experience of vacuum cleaner-use were recruited for testing. Handle mock-ups with five different centers of mass (top front, top rear, bottom front, bottom rear, and center) were manufactured, and muscle activity (electromyography) and discomfort (Borg CR10) were measured during vacuuming with the mock-ups. The results showed that the %MVC of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (p = 0.0155) and Upper Trapezius (p = 0.0228) decreased when the center of mass moved from the bottom to top of the mock-up. However, the %MVC of the Biceps Brachii had reverse propensities under the same conditions (p = 0.0151). Meanwhile, the discomfort on the hand (p = 0.0080), upper arm (p = 0.0160), shoulder (p = 0.0112), and neck (p = 0.0226) decreased when the center of mass moved from the bottom to top of the mock-up.
KW - Center of mass of a handle
KW - Cordless stick-type vacuum cleaner
KW - Weight distribution in a handle
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85095450566&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ergon.2020.103054
DO - 10.1016/j.ergon.2020.103054
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85095450566
SN - 0169-8141
VL - 80
JO - International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
JF - International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
M1 - 103054
ER -