Abstract

The link between hand-arm vibration and the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been acknowledged for many years. However, it is difficult to determine its importance as it is not the sole cause of MSDs, as is the case with Raynaud's syndrome, for example.

This project seeks to validate a methodology for measuring muscle activity in the presence of vibration, and observe the effect of certain parameters, such as wrist posture. The researchers will compare muscle load levels in conditions with or without vibration and verify if somatotype (size and body composition) influences the transmission of vibrations.

The report will faciliatate the identification of situations giving rise to high muscle load and very significant levels of transmission of tool-hand-arm vibration. It will cast light on the link between hand-arm vibration and musculoskeletal disorders, and propose a validated methodology for measuring muscle activity through electromyography (EMG) in the presence of vibration.