Journal article
Long-Lasting Changes in Muscle Twitch Force During Simulated Work While Standing or Walking.
- Garcia MG ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland gabriela.garcia@hest.ethz.ch.
- Wall R ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Steinhilber B University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.
- Läubli T ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Martin BJ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
- 2016-09-11
Published in:
- Human factors. - 2016
antifatigue mat
fatigue
muscle twitch force
standing
walking
Adult
Electric Stimulation
Female
Humans
Leg
Male
Muscle Fatigue
Muscle, Skeletal
Posture
Walking
English
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting effects of prolonged standing work on a hard floor or floor mat and slow-pace walking on muscle twitch force (MTF) elicited by electrical stimulation.
BACKGROUND
Prolonged standing work may alter lower-leg muscle function, which can be quantified by changes in the MTF amplitude and duration related to muscle fatigue. Ergonomic interventions have been proposed to mitigate fatigue and discomfort; however, their influences remain controversial.
METHOD
Ten men and eight women simulated standing work in 320-min experiments with three conditions: standing on a hard floor or an antifatigue mat and walking on a treadmill, each including three seated rest breaks. MTF in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscles was evaluated through changes in signal amplitude and duration.
RESULTS
The significant decrease of MTF amplitude and an increase of duration after standing work on a hard floor and on a mat persisted beyond 1 hr postwork. During walking, significant MTF metrics changes appeared 30 min postwork. MTF amplitude decrease was not significant after the first 110 min in any of the conditions; however, MTF duration was significantly higher than baseline in the standing conditions.
CONCLUSION
Similar long-lasting weakening of MTF was induced by standing on a hard floor and on an antifatigue mat. However, walking partially attenuated this phenomenon.
APPLICATION
Mostly static standing is likely to contribute to alterations of MTF in lower-leg muscles and potentially to musculoskeletal disorders regardless of the flooring characteristics. Occupational activities including slow-pace walking may reduce such deterioration in muscle function.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting effects of prolonged standing work on a hard floor or floor mat and slow-pace walking on muscle twitch force (MTF) elicited by electrical stimulation.
BACKGROUND
Prolonged standing work may alter lower-leg muscle function, which can be quantified by changes in the MTF amplitude and duration related to muscle fatigue. Ergonomic interventions have been proposed to mitigate fatigue and discomfort; however, their influences remain controversial.
METHOD
Ten men and eight women simulated standing work in 320-min experiments with three conditions: standing on a hard floor or an antifatigue mat and walking on a treadmill, each including three seated rest breaks. MTF in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscles was evaluated through changes in signal amplitude and duration.
RESULTS
The significant decrease of MTF amplitude and an increase of duration after standing work on a hard floor and on a mat persisted beyond 1 hr postwork. During walking, significant MTF metrics changes appeared 30 min postwork. MTF amplitude decrease was not significant after the first 110 min in any of the conditions; however, MTF duration was significantly higher than baseline in the standing conditions.
CONCLUSION
Similar long-lasting weakening of MTF was induced by standing on a hard floor and on an antifatigue mat. However, walking partially attenuated this phenomenon.
APPLICATION
Mostly static standing is likely to contribute to alterations of MTF in lower-leg muscles and potentially to musculoskeletal disorders regardless of the flooring characteristics. Occupational activities including slow-pace walking may reduce such deterioration in muscle function.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1177/0018720816669444
- PMID 27613826
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.rero.ch/global/documents/283929
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