With great pleasure, we would like to present an interesting study conducted by the group of Prof. Pau from the University of Cagliari (Italy), whose goal was to monitor trunk’s flexion movements into a group of nurses during their work shift. Nurses are one of the workers’ categories at greatest risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain, due to prolonged exposure to awkward postures during their shift.
In particular, the researchers of Cagliari used the inertial sensor BTS G-WALK to characterize the posture taken by nurses during a two-hour shift in the maternity and cardiology wards. Parameters relating to the amplitude and frequency of trunk flexion movements were analyzed, as well as the time spent in a flexed posture. The interesting results show that the tested nurses spent 3.5% of the time monitored with their trunk flexed between 30 ° and 60 ° and 0.2% between 60 ° and 90 °.
The authors underline that a solution such as G-WALK highlights the movement strategies adopted by workers and is therefore an effective support in the quantitative assessment of prolonged uncomfortable postures in professionals at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Team’s future studies will be aimed at investigating both the effect of the specific wards and the anthropometric characteristics of the single individual, which are known to represent co-factors in the onset of musculoskeletal disorders.
We thank the team of Prof. Pau, actively involved in conducting biomechanics studies aimed at supporting clinicians in improving people’s quality of life.
