2nd Edition

Biomechanics of the Upper Limbs Mechanics, Modeling and Musculoskeletal Injuries, Second Edition

By Andris Freivalds Copyright 2011
    564 Pages 255 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    564 Pages 255 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    There is already a wealth of literature covering cumulative trauma disorders and medical management, as well as the biomechanics of manual material handling and lower back problems. However, despite a spike in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in the upper limbs—due to a sharp increase in the amount of computer-related jobs—few if any books have focused exclusively on WRMSDs, until now.

    Biomechanics of the Upper Limbs: Mechanics, Modeling and Musculoskeletal Injuries, Second Edition offers vital information and tools to improve analysis of external forces and their effects on the human body. This can help ergonomists better understand job stressors and the role they play in the development of disorders, enabling them to modify the work environment and educate practitioners to better control harmful situations.

    Using the author’s medical and engineering expertise to distill essential subject matter and useful technical data, this comprehensive text explores:

    • Biomechanics of the upper limbs and the motor control system
    • The structure and physiology of the human musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems
    • Recent research findings and solutions to various ergonomic problems
    • Models of various components of the neuromuscular systems, as well as larger systems in the upper limbs
    • Risk factors for disorders and tools used to identify their causes

    Designed as a textbook for a typical semester-long graduate-level engineering or kinesiology course, this book includes a link to an ancillary website that offers materials such as PowerPoint® slides, sample exams, and an instructor's manual with complete solutions. It also serves as a practical, up-to-date, engineering-oriented resource for researchers, industrial ergonomists, industrial hygienists, and medical professionals who require supplementary material.

    Introduction to Biomechanics
    What Is Biomechanics?
    Basic Concepts
    Coordinate Systems
    Force Vector Algebra
    Static Equilibrium
    Anthropometry and Center of Mass Determination
    Friction
    Dynamics

    Structure of the Musculoskeletal System
    Gross Overview of Movements
    Skeletal System
    Mechanical Properties of Bone
    Soft Connective Tissue
    Joints

    Neuromuscular Physiology and Motor Control
    Introduction to Musculature
    Structure of Muscle
    Basic Cell Physiology
    Nervous System
    Excitation–Contraction Sequence
    Motor Units
    Basic Muscle Properties (Mechanics)
    Energy, Metabolism, and Heat Production
    Receptors
    Reflexes and Motor Control

    Modeling of Muscle Mechanics
    Laplace Transforms and Transfer Functions
    Viscoelastic Theory
    Hill’s Muscle Models
    Frequency Analysis
    Frequency Analysis of Passive Muscle
    Hatze’s Multielement Model
    Applications of the Hatze Muscle Model
    Control Theory and Motor Control
    Root-Locus Approach to Muscle Modeling

    Models of the Upper Limbs
    Anatomy of the Hand and Wrist
    Static Tendon-Pulley Models
    Dynamic Tendon-Pulley Models
    Complex Tendon Models
    Two-Dimensional Hand Model
    Direct Measurement Validation Studies
    Critical Evaluation of Modeling Approaches

    Musculoskeletal Disorders and Risk Factors
    Extent of the Problem
    Common Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Etiology
    Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of MSDs
    Epidemiologic Approach to MSDs
    Scientific Research and Evidence for Occupational Risk Factors
    Scientific Research and Evidence for Psychosocial Risk Factors
    Iatrogenesis: A Contrarian View
    Legal Issues

    Instrumentation
    Introduction
    Wrist- and Finger-Motion Measurements
    Pressure- and Force-Distribution Measurements
    Nerve-Conduction Measurements
    Electromyography

    Job and Worksite Analysis
    The Need for Job Analysis
    Reliability and Validity of Assessment Tools
    Initial Identification of Musculoskeletal Injury Problems
    Gross Posture and Task Analyses
    Quantitative Upper Limb WRMSD Risk-Assessment Tools
    Data-Driven Upper Limb WRMSD Risk Index

    Hand Tools
    Introduction
    General Biomechanical Considerations of Tools
    Handles for Single-Handled Tools
    Handles for Two-Handled Tools
    Other Tool Considerations
    Agricultural and Forestry Tools
    Industrial Tools

    The Office Environment
    General Musculoskeletal Problems
    Seated Workplace
    Keyboard
    Mouse and Other Cursor-Positioning Devices
    Notebooks and Handheld PCs
    Interventions for Office Work

    Biography

    Andris Freivalds