Aspects of motor control in Ergonomics

Proposer: Pascal Madeleine, Aalborg University, (DENMARK), E-mail: pm@hst.aaa.dk

Session Type: Technical Session

Chairs: Pascal Madeleine, & Afshin Samani

Brief Description: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) have tremendous socio-economical effects. The type of occupations determines the physical risk factors, but individual factors are also important explaining the multi-factorial aetiology of WMSD. The known risk factors related to WMSD development are both physical and psychosocial. A fixed erected posture, repetitive arm movement, heavy work, insufficient rest, temperature, and static posture are within the cited physical risk factors while high job demand and low job control are frequently mentioned as examples of psychosocial risk factors. WMSD are associated with sensory changes like muscle fatigue, discomfort and pain often located in the neck-shoulder region. The lack of knowledge concerning the aetiology of WMSD calls for additional ways to quantify these disorders. Therefore, the study of the functional adaptations in work-related conditions (among e.g. computer users, butchers, laboratory technicians, cleaners) can help to delineate basic aspects of sensory-motor interactions. This can in turn have implications for the prevention and treatment of WMSD. 

1. Motor strategies during meat cutting tasks in simulated and real environment

Pascal Madeleine, Aalborg University, (e-mail: pm@hst.aau.dk)

2. Motor variability in laboratory technicians: Determinants and physiological effects

Divya Srinivasan, Gävle University, (e-mail: Divya.Srinivasan@hig.se)

3. Inducing exposure variability during computer work in the shoulder girdle with and without experimental pain

Afshin Samani, Aalborg University, (e-mail: afsamani@hst.aau.dk)

4. TBA

5. TBA