Ergonomics for Daily Life

Original Editors - Brooke Coleman, Nuriena Vang, and Sommern Willie as part of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal 1 Project

Top Contributors - Nuriena Vang, Sommern Willie, Kim Jackson, Brooke Coleman, Alicia Fernandes, Olajumoke Ogunleye and Cindy John-Chu  

Introduction

Ergonomics are an important factor when establishing an environment that provides optimal productivity.

Three types of ergonomics include

• cognitive-Cognitive ergonomics is centred around the mental aspect that plays a role in ergonomics.
• organizational-Organizational ergonomics pertains to the importance of having a sound structure within a social-technical system. This includes organizational structures, policies, and processes
• physical-Physical ergonomics is geared towards ergonomics used in the workplace and deals with musculoskeletal disorders possibly associated with the workplace. Understanding the importance of physical ergonomics contributes to optimizing your approach to day-to-day operations.  

Physical Ergonomics

Understanding the intricacies of ergonomics is paramount in establishing environments that promote optimal productivity and overall well-being. In this article, we will delve into the realm of physical ergonomics, a domain where your expertise as a physiotherapist holds significant weight, exploring its importance in daily life and providing evidence-based insights.

Physical ergonomics entails a comprehensive evaluation of the human body, considering its anatomy, physiology, and anthropometry. As a physiotherapist, you're well aware of how these factors contribute to understanding structure, motion, function, and performance, all of which play a crucial role in evaluating and addressing body mechanics and posture.

The Importance of Applying Physical Ergonomics in Daily Life:

A pertinent question to ask in the application of physical ergonomics…What is the importance of applying physical ergonomics in daily life?

Habits of postural stress, poor posture, body mechanics, and/or even clothing choices over a period of time may lead to musculoskeletal injuries/disorders (MSK disorders). A few common examples of MSK disorders caused by poor habits in the workplace include: low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and/or shoulder stiffness.

A concept to consider and appreciate is that the human body does not only move primarily in the sagittal and frontal plane to complete daily activities, but also in the transverse and scaption plane.

For example, a cashier might coordinate a slight twist of their trunk to grab groceries to scan and then bag the items while a stocker might twist their trunk and move in the scaption plane to restock pasta boxes on a shelf. Setting the human body in a position that optimizes movement would be critical to reducing the chances of developing MSK disorders. Below are a few examples of daily activities with consequences that may lead to MSK disorders and how we can refine those activities.

Ergonomics of Daily Life

Driving:

Technique to improve: adjust mirrors, lift seat at the right height, backrest adjustment, headrest position

Consequences: poor vibration attenuation, poor postural support leading to hunching, increased stress and headaches

Bathroom hygiene:  

• Technique: Position toiletry items where they are easily accessible, check the lighting in the bathroom, and adjust the height of the sinks .
• Consequences: Neck & back pain, falls / injuries.

Typing and computer work:

• Technique: Ergonomic keyboard, standing desk, proper postural orientation, taking breaks.
• Consequences: Neck pain, tension & stress, carpal tunnel syndrome.

Phone:

• Technique: Neutral spine alignment, limiting time and messaging, increasing voice commands, taking persistent rest breaks, avoiding holding the phone below chest height.
• Consequences: neck pain and ache, tension & stress, aching in the fingers, visual strain and headaches.

References

1. Driving Ergonomics:
   • Reference: O'Sullivan, P., Dankaerts, W., Burnett, A., Straker, L., Bargon, G., & Moloney, N. (2011). Lumbar posture and trunk muscle activation during a typing task when sitting on a novel dynamic ergonomic chair. Applied Ergonomics, 42(1), 61-68. This study emphasizes the importance of proper lumbar posture during tasks similar to driving to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal strain.
2. Bathroom Hygiene Ergonomics:
   • Reference: APTA. (2020). "Ergonomics: Safe Patient Handling Toolkit." American Physical Therapy Association. The APTA's toolkit provides evidence-based guidelines on safe patient handling, which can be extrapolated to recommendations for optimizing activities such as bathroom hygiene.
3. Typing and Computer Work Ergonomics:
   • Reference: Hedge, A. (2004). Effects of an adjustable chair and office ergonomics training on the discomfort of VDT users. Ergonomics, 47(2), 172-186. This study explores the impact of ergonomic interventions, including adjustable chairs, on reducing discomfort during computer work.
4. Phone Usage Ergonomics:
   • Reference: Straker, L., Coleman, J., Skoss, R., Maslen, B., Burgess-Limerick, R., & Pollock, C. (2008). A comparison of posture and muscle activity during tablet computer, desktop computer and paper use by young children. Ergonomics, 51(4), 540-555. This study investigates posture and muscle activity during various forms of screen use, offering insights into optimal ergonomics for phone usage.