Experiments in the Detection of Upper Limb Posture through Kinestetic Strain Sensor

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of constant or intermittent load on muscle activation and fatigue. The analysis and assessment of muscular activation and fatigue was based on surface EMG measurements from eight muscles (seven muscles of the right upper limb and trapezius muscle). Two EMG signal parameters were analyzed for each of the experimental conditions distinguished by the value of the external force and the character of the load – constant or intermittent. The amplitude related to its maximum (AMP) and the slope of the regression line between time and median frequency (SMF) were the EMG parameters that were analyzed. The results showed that constant load caused higher muscular fatigue than intermittent load despite the lower value of the external force and lower muscle activation. Results suggest that additional external force might influence muscle activation and fatigue more than upper limb posture. The results of the study support the thesis that all biomechanical factors which influence upper limb load and fatigue (upper limb posture, external force and time sequences) should be considered when work stands and work processes are designed. They also indicate that constant load should be especially avoided.

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Upper limb posture and movement during tracked versus wheeled harvester operation on Pinus thinning

International Journal of Forest Engineering ◽

10.1080/14942119.2020.1822663 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 263-271

Author(s):

Martins Ab ◽

Lopes Es ◽

Pagnussat Mb ◽

Fiedler Nc ◽

Oliveira Fm

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Limb Posture

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Trackhold: A Novel Passive Arm-Support Device

Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics ◽

10.1115/1.4031716 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Basilio Lenzo ◽

Marco Fontana ◽

Simone Marcheschi ◽

Fabio Salsedo ◽

Antonio Frisoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Experimental Validation ◽

Physical Rehabilitation ◽

Design Approach ◽

Mechanical Motion ◽

Dynamic Analyses ◽

Arm Support ◽

Support Device ◽

Limb Posture

This article introduces the design and the experimental validation of the Trackhold, a novel mechanical motion-tracker for upper limb physical rehabilitation. The Trackhold is based on a passively balanced mechanism that can approximately relieve the weight of the patient’s arm regardless of the position. The system features a novel kinematic architecture with large workspace and custom developed joint sensors providing accurate real-time measure of the upper limb posture. The design approach of the device, which went through kinetostatic and dynamic analyses, is presented and details on the employed mechatronic solutions are provided. A prototype of the Trackhold has been fabricated and functionally validated.

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