Occupational Biomechanics explores the physical interactions between workers and the tools, machinery, and materials they encounter in the workplace. Our primary focus has been on elucidating the impact of body composition on various occupational activities, including tasks such as lifting boxes, carrying objects, and exerting force by pulling or pushing heavy loads.
One of our pivotal studies aimed to quantify musculoskeletal performance by assessing metabolism through measurements of oxygen consumption and heart rate. This was achieved using an oxygen chamber and a breathable mask, allowing us to gain valuable insights into the body’s response during lifting tasks.
In another noteworthy project, we employed motion capture analysis to quantify lumbar spine loads. This system captures both motion data and ground reaction forces from participants. The data is then fed into our biomechanical model of the spine, providing detailed kinematic information about the various spinal segments.
Additionally, our lab utilizes cutting-edge musculoskeletal software systems to construct models of musculoskeletal structures and create lifelike simulations of human movement.
