Biomechanics of the Upper Limbs

Mechanics, Modelling and Musculoskeletal Injuries

By Andris Freivalds

  • Price: $116.95
  • Binding/Format: Hardback
  • ISBN: 978-0-7484-0926-6
  • Publish Date: June 29th 2004
  • Imprint: CRC Press
  • Pages: 624 pages

Description

The repetitive tasks of various forms of manual work can lead to cumulative trauma disorders, increasing staff burn-out rates and the number of sick-days taken by employees. In addition, interest in upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders has grown as the service sector has claimed a larger share of the workforce. These factors introduce the need for an up-to-date text that combines basic biomechanics with practical bioengineering issues.

Biomechanics of the Upper Limbs: Mechanics, Modeling, and Musculoskeletal Injuries is an engineering oriented book focusing on upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, as opposed to the more general introductions to cumulative trauma disorders and medical management related books. It covers musculoskeletal components of the upper extremities, their models, and the measurement and prediction of injury potential. Students and professionals will find it provides an excellent basic grounding in the subject.

Topics include:

  • A basic introduction to biomechanical principles

  • Gross structure of the musculoskeletal system, including bone and soft tissue

  • Organization of muscles and muscle anatomy, types of fibers, contractile theories, and muscle receptors

  • Modeling of muscle mechanics

  • Models of the upper limbs

  • Types of musculoskeletal disorders and the scientific evidence for risk factors, as well as epidemiology

  • Instrumentation for motion, pressure, force and nerve conduction measurements, and electromyography

  • Job and worksite analysis

  • Hand tools

  • Office environment seating and computer devices
  • Contents

    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

    The Skeletal System

    Mechanical Properties of Bone

    Soft Connective Tissue

    Joints

    NEUROMUSCULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND MOTOR CONTROL

    Introduction to Musculature

    Structure of Muscle

    Basic Cell Physiology

    The Nervous System

    The 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 Multi-element 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

    A Two-dimensional Hand Model

    Direct Measurement Validation Studies

    Critical Evaluation of Modeling Approaches

    MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AND RISK FACTORS

    The Extent of the Problem

    Common Musculoskeletal Disorders and their Etiology

    Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of MSDs

    Epidemiologic approach to MSDs

    The Scientific Research and Evidence for Occupational Risk Factors

    The Scientific Research and Evidence for Psychosocial Risk Factors

    Iatrogenesis

    INSTRUMENTATION

    Introduction

    Wrist and Finger Motion Measurement

    Pressure and Force Distribution Measurements

    Nerve Conduction Measurements

    Electromyography

    JOB AND WORKSITE RELATED ANALYSIS

    The Need for Job Analysis

    Reliability and Validity of Assessment Tools

    Initial Identification of Musculoskeletal Injury Problems

    Gross Posture and Task Analyses

    Quantitaive 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

    The Seated Workplace

    The Keyboard

    The Mouse and Other Cursor-positioning Devices

    Notebooks and Hand-held PCs

    Control Measures

    Glossary

    Author Index

    Subject Index

    Each chapter also includes questions, problems, and references