EMG estimated mean, peak, and cumulative spinal compression of workers in five heavy industries

The goal of this study was to explore the use of compression-normalized electromyography (CNEMG) to estimate mean, peak, and cumulative loading of the low back in workers of five heavy industries and to compare the estimates to the NIOSH guidelines. Full-shift (5.5–10.3 h) EMG measurements were collected from 105 workers and transformed into units of low back compressive force (Newtons). The mean, peak, and cumulative CNEMG as well as the percentage of work time spent above 3400 N and 6800 N thresholds were calculated. Mean CNEMG (sd) was 1564 N (796), peak was 2721 (1545), and cumulative was 38 MN s (22). Mean time spent above the NIOSH threshold of 3400 N was on average 6.3% of shift, while mean time spent above the 6400 N threshold was around 1%. CNEMG allowed the feasible investigation of tasks and jobs that would be virtually impossible with more advanced biomechanical methods and represents a more objective measure of exposure than observation or self-report. CNEMG is a relatively new method with methodological limitations, however, CNEMG's strength may be as an objective, relative measure of exposure in studies where low back EMG is collected in a relatively systematic and structured manner.