Application of a novel spinal posture and motion measurement system in active and static sitting

Abstract

The quantification of work-related musculoskeletal risk factors is of great importance; however, only a few tools allow objective, unrestricted measurements of spinal posture and motion in workplaces. This study was performed to evaluate the applicability of the Epionics system in a sedentary workplace. The system is mobile and wireless and assesses lumbar lordosis, pelvic orientation and spinal motion, without restricting subjects in their movements. In total, 10 males were monitored while sitting for 2 h on static and dynamic office chairs and on an exercise ball, to evaluate the effect of dynamic sitting. The volunteers were able to perform their work unhampered. No differences among the tested furniture could be detected with respect to either the lordosis or the number of spinal movements after habituation to the furniture; however, differences in pelvic orientation were statistically significant. The results of the present study indicate that Epionics may be useful for the quantitative assessment of work-related risk factors.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: Only a few tools allow objective, unrestricted measurements of spinal posture and motion in the workplace. Epionics SPINE measures lumbar lordosis, pelvic orientation and spinal motion under nearly unrestricted conditions and can be used to quantify work-related musculoskeletal risk factors. We demonstrated the use of this tool in the workplace-analysis.

Keywords::

• workplace evaluation
• ergonomics
• active sitting
• lumbar spine
• pelvic orientation

Disclosure statement

Esther Pries is a scientific advisor for Epionics Medical GmbH; what however, did not influence the results of the present study. The company Epionics Medical GmbH played no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript.

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Email: [email protected]

^3. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, Bonn, Germany (MiSpExNetwork).