Research Article - Biomedical Research (2017) Volume 28, Issue 2

Stress analysis of lower back using EMG signal

The purpose of this study was to examine the force/EMG relationship during flexion and erection movement of human back during occupation at different positions using surface Electromyography (sEMG) signal. This tool is a non-invasive technique that allows the evaluation of muscle activity. Human’s back is most sensitive part of human body and postures of human body have a significant role to analyze pain especially in the low back region. In this approach surface electrodes are used to record surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of lower back, in the limited forward and backward movement from vertical position, placed at different positions of vertebrae of the lumber region to have a prediction on the stress level of muscles involved in the movement. Preliminary Investigation on three subjects of age groups below 40 years and above 40 years was carried out for three different sitting postures to analyze the differences in EMG signals using Analysis of variance (ANOVA). After Preliminary investigation on three subjects, the experiment was extended to nine subjects in six different sitting postures. ANOVA test has clearly indicated that there exists a statistically significant difference amongst the mean values of EMG signals for different sitting postures and in further investigation, minimum stress level is found in the angle range from 90°-120°. According to the minimum stress level between the angle range 90°-120°, seat may be designed including back rest flexibility in the angle range of 90°-120°.

Author(s): Pratibha Tyagi, Ajat Shatru Arora, Vikas Rastogi

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