An ergonomics evaluation of the vibration backpack harness system in walking |
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| Affiliation: | 1. College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China;2. Institute of Sports Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China;1. Department of Physical Therapy, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA;2. School of Engineering and Technology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA;1. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada;2. University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, 451 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada;3. University of Ottawa, School of Human Kinetics, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;4. Canadian Forces Health Services Group, 1745 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa ON, K1A 0K6, Canada;1. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, 1, Sec. 3, Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Taipei 10608, Taiwan;2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, 291, Zhong-Zheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan |
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| Abstract: | Many studies in backpack design have been focused on reducing trunk muscle activity and improving overall comfort while the wearers (college students and outdoor enthusiasts) were walking. However, little work has done on combining the vibration with harness system design. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the vibration backpack harness system on trunk muscle activity and overall comfort in walking. There were four vibrators sewn in the four different positions of our harness system. Subjects were asked to support a load (20% body weight) on their backpack while performing 5-min walking trials on the treadmill (speed = 1.6 m/s) with different frequencies of vibration (0 Hz, 28 Hz, 35 Hz, 42 Hz). The objective measures of trunk muscle activity (electromyography) were obtained during the walking task. Subjects also were asked to complete subjective ratings of comfort. The results of the objective measures in this study had shown that the vibration function had a positive effect on reducing muscle activity for upper trapezius (UT), but not for erector spinae (ES). From the data of the two subjective surveys in our study, the comfort level of no-vibration state (0 Hz) was worse than vibration state (28 Hz, 35 Hz, 42 Hz) for both muscles, and when the frequency was 35 Hz, the comfort of the harness system was higher than the other three frequencies. The findings of the present study support that backpack with low frequency vibration has a positive effect on reducing trunk muscle activity and improving overall comfort level for wearers in walking.Relevance to industryObservations of present study is beneficial in assisting wearers to reduce muscle activity and improve overall comfort in walking according to the vibration backpack harness system. New backpack design criteria for harness systems are discussed to optimize production strategies. The wearers could be students, outdoor enthusiasts and old people. |
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| Keywords: | Vibration Backpack harness system Electromyography Muscle activity Comfort |
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