Análise de posturas e de movimento baseada num método de análise de imagem

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2014

Authors

Vítor Cirne (Author) Other; Mário Vaz (Author) FEUP; Maria Eugénia Pinho (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO 2014

Pages: 76-78

International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO 2014)

Guimarães, 13 e 14 de Fevereiro de 2014

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Abstract (EN): The study of the relationship between work and health implies a correct identification of occupational factors involved as well as their effects on workers. Among the several occupational risk factors, awkward postures exposure has great importance as a potential generator of musculoskeletal disorders. Depending on the characteristics of the studied activities and the analysis goals, different methods of postural analysis may be used. The choice of the method for the postural analysis depends on various activity characteristics, such as the higher or lower prevalence of the dynamic component of the posture, the level of required accuracy, and the complexity of the studied system, among other variables. With the emergence of methods for image analysis, ergonomics and more specifically the biomechanics area are relying on some of these methods in order to provide more accurate data for postural risk assessment. The methods for image analysis used in ergonomics are extremely helpful throughout the process of postural assessment. This study aimed to assess the risk of postures/ motion in a specific task. The postural data were got by using a free software for video analysis (KINOVEA) and by using just direct observation. From the captured images, KINOVEA provided kinematic variables (position and velocity) of posture/motion. Simultaneously, a group of 9 observers identified the postural data through direct observation supported on the same pictures. Later, in the laboratory, the collected data from both postural examination sources was an important part of the inputs in a traditional method for postures assessment, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Finally, the results of the two postural assessments were compared and some of the strengths and weaknesses of the computer program adopted to process video image, used in the collection of data for the postural assessment, were highlighted. Although more studies are needed, the present work seems to indicate a higher accuracy of the postural parameters obtained through KINOVEA than that of those obtained by direct observation. Data thus obtained may allow a more accurate assessment of risk associated with working postures. However, this accuracy may depend on the sensitivity of the risk assessment method used to the variations of the postural data obtained by different methods, since the differences in the postural parameters obtained by the two methods do not seem to have an important impact on REBA risk level. Although in this work has not been possible to do so, it would be interesting to study the sensitivity of other risk assessment methods to the variations of postural parameters obtained by the two methods herein used.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: ISBN: 978-989-98203-2-6