Short Communication
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 301-305
Association of Hand Anthropometric Dimensions and Pushing and Pulling Muscular Strength
Joydeep Majumder1, Sanjay Kotadiya2, Sunil Kumar3
1Scientist C, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad-380016 & PhD Scholar, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad,
2Technical Officer, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad-380016,
3Scientist G & Former Director-in-Charge, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad-380016,
Corresponding Author: Joydeep Majumder
ABSTRACT
Background: Pushing and pulling are common actions while using hand tools in workplaces and homes. Such repetitive actions by operators require high torque generation, resulting in musculoskeletal complaints of the lower back and upper extremities. Repetitive forceful exertions in long duration works leads to increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Anthropometric dimensions, such as weight, stature, hand length, hand breadth may affect the maximum push-pull force exertion.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on male subjects (N=100) of 18-60 years age group. The study quantified the hand-arm-shoulder complex strength (isometric strength) testing of the dominant hand during pushing and pulling tasks. Anthropometric dimensions of the hand were measures and correlated with the strength parameters.
Results: Pulling strength generated recorded higher (~14% to 17%) than the pushing strength in both short and long duration test. Short duration activity could generate higher strength (~17% to 19%) as compared to the endurance tasks. For both pushing and pulling operations, peak strength was achieved within first few seconds, and thereafter a sharp decline was observed till the end of the bout at 60 seconds. The weight (p<0.01) and hand breadth at metacarpal III (p<0.05) were correlated with pushing and pulling strength, which implies that pushing and pulling tasks were dependent on weight of an individual, as well as breadth of the hand across metacarpal III.
Conclusion: The strength data generated would help in work schedule design and assist in developing engineering guidelines in the design of tools at workplace.
Key words: Push-pull tasks, strength, anthropometry, work design, musculoskeletal disorders.