Journal article
Effects of milking unit design on upper extremity muscle activity during attachment among U.S. large-herd parlor workers
Applied ergonomics, Vol.58, pp.482-490
01/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.08.008
PMCID: PMC7008452
PMID: 27633245
Abstract
Large-herd dairy parlor workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of milking unit design on upper extremity muscle activity during milking unit attachment.
Upper extremity muscle activity was recorded among U.S. large-herd parlor workers (n=11) using surface electromyography. Participants performed several milking unit attachment cycles with each of six milking unit designs. Muscle activity levels were then compared between unit designs.
Mean muscle activity levels (in %MVE) across milking units ranged from 6.8 to 8.2 for the upper trapezius, 8.2 to 10.3 for the anterior deltoid, 13.8 to 17.2 for the forearm flexors, and 9.9 to 12.4 for the forearm extensors. Pairwise comparisons between milking units did not reveal statistically significant differences in muscle activity levels across milking unit designs. However, a general pattern of higher muscle activity was observed with specific milking units. Milking unit weight, milk tube spread, and teat cup shape may explain differences in muscle activity levels.
Milking unit design may influence muscle activity levels among parlor workers. Small reductions in muscle activity associated with milking unit design have the potential to delay the onset of fatigue or development of musculoskeletal health outcomes among parlor workers.
•One milking unit design resulted in lower muscle activity levels in many upper extremity muscle groups.•Unit weight, milk tube spread, and teat cup shape are design features which may reduce muscle activity levels.•Milking unit designs which reduce muscle activity may reduce cumulative muscle loading over time.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of milking unit design on upper extremity muscle activity during attachment among U.S. large-herd parlor workers
- Creators
- David I Douphrate - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus, TX, USADavid Gimeno Ruiz de Porras - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus, TX, USAMatthew W Nonnenmann - University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USARobert Hagevoort - New Mexico State University, Dairy Extension, Clovis, NM, USAStephen J Reynolds - Colorado State University, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Ft. Collins, CO, USAAnabel Rodriguez - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus, TX, USANathan B Fethke - University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Applied ergonomics, Vol.58, pp.482-490
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.08.008
- PMID
- 27633245
- PMCID
- PMC7008452
- NLM abbreviation
- Appl Ergon
- ISSN
- 0003-6870
- eISSN
- 1872-9126
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- name: High Plains and Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety; name: Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health; name: Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education; DOI: 10.13039/100000030, name: Center for Disease Control and Prevention; DOI: 10.13039/100000125, name: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, award: U54 OH008085-08
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2017
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983997457502771
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