Efficacy of Using Thermography to Assess Shoulder Loads during Overhead Intermittent Work

Abstract

Upper extremity work related musculoskeletal disorders remain a priority research area due to their prevalence and cost despite efforts to mitigate their presence in the workplace. A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the effects of task parameters on surface temperature patterns, which have been previously linked to musculoskeletal injury, of the middle deltoid and trapezius while performing overhead tasks. Twelve participants (6 males and 6 females) completed one hour test sessions of an automotive assembly task simulation. Independent variables included duty cycle (33%, 50%, and 67%) and work height (two overhead positions). Results showed that thermography readings are sensitive to task demands on the musculature during dynamic tasks. Duty cycle and the interaction of duty cycle and work height were found to affect temporal and spatial thermal patterns, with lower duty cycles and lower work heights resulting in higher temperatures and faster rates of change.