Postural analysis of the trunk and shoulders in simulated real time

Abstract

A new method for analysing and describing the posture of the trunk and shoulders was developed and used to describe the posture of workers performing automobile assembly operations. The system used a videotape to create a permanent record of the jobs and a personal computer to perform the clerical and time-keeping tasks associated with posture analysis. In experiments using an experienced analyst to evaluate a videotape, highly reproducible results were obtained. Furthermore, the new system required substantially less time than existing posture analysis methods to analyse and reduce postural data.

Keywords:

• Posture
• Computer
• Ergonomics
• Occupational health
• Back
• Shoulder