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Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of a newly developed portable inclinometer (BackTalk) to capture extreme trunk postural data in occupational settings. The device provides information about preselected flexion angles and their frequency. Four devices were simultaneously compared with an electrogoniometer at various combinations of speed and symmetric/asymmetric postures. The results showed that, overall, the BackTalk devices were very successful in detecting sagittal postures at flexion angles of 30° and 45° for all three speeds. However, the average success rate for identifying postures at 15° was only 54.3%. Therefore, if the device is to be used in situations that are highly dynamic and involve small sagittal angles, it may have a high rate of missed recordings. Nervertheless, the BackTalk could be a useful research tool for quantifying the frequency and level of postural load experienced by industrial workers.

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Accuracy of a Portable Inclinometer for Recording Frequency of Trunk Sagittal Flexion

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