Effects on variation in shoulder, forearm and low back muscle activity from combining seated computer work with other productive office tasks: results from a simulation study

Author(s)

Barbieri, Dechristian Franca ^[1] ; Brusaca, Luiz Augusto ^[1] ; Mathiassen, Svend Erik ^[2] ; Srinivasan, Divya ^[3] ; Oliveira, Ana Beatriz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Phys Therapy, Lab Clin & Occupat Kinesiol, Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[2] Univ Gavle, Ctr Musculoskeletal Res, Dept Occupat Hlth Sci & Psychol, Gavle - Sweden

^[3] Clemson Univ, Dept Ind Engn, Clemson, SC - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ERGONOMICS; OCT 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The effect on muscle activity variation of combining different office tasks is not known. We recorded electromyography from the upper trapezius (UT), wrist extensor (WE) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) in 24 office workers during five productive tasks, and breaks. Minute-to-minute variance was then estimated, by simulations, in a reference `job' consisting of 85% sitting computer work and 15% breaks, and in `jobs' where sitting computer work was replaced by different proportions of the other office tasks and breaks. Replacing sitting computer work with sitting non-computer work increased estimated variance by, in median, 23% (UT), 19% (WE) and 0% (LES). Replacing it with other tasks, in particular, standing computer work and non-desk work, was less effective in increasing variance. Thus, some combinations of office tasks have a slight potential to increase muscle activity variation in the shoulder and lower arm, but not the lumbar back, while others will be ineffective. Practitioner summary: The need for exposure variation is often emphasised in office ergonomics. We estimated the effect on muscle activity in the shoulder, forearm and lumbar back of combining sitting computer work with other available tasks and breaks, finding that introduction of sitting non-computer tasks and non-desk work slightly increased variation; other tasks were essentially non-effective. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/06359-4 - Can sit-stand table usage affect the level of physical activity and body composition in office workers with overweight and obesity?
• Grantee: Dechristian França Barbieri
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/19504-4 - Does posture variation during computer use improve physical exposure of workers? - Effects of using adjustable tables - sit/stand
• Grantee: Dechristian França Barbieri
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/25140-6 - Chronic and acute effect of using the sit-stand desk as a strategy to reduce sedentary behaviour in administrative workers
• Grantee: Luiz Augusto Brusaca de Azevedo Laureano da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 12/24502-2 - Does posture variation during computer use improve physical exposure of workers?: effects of using adjustable tables - sit/stand
• Grantee: Dechristian França Barbieri
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate