A dental stool with chest support reduces lower back muscle activation. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Viet; Turner, Reid; MacFadden, Andrew; Cornish, Stephen M.; Esliger, Dale; Komiyama, Kunio; Chilibeck, Philip D.
• Is Part Of: International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics. Volume 22:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: spine -- posture -- fatigue -- injury; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Human Engineering -- Periodicals; Occupational Health -- Periodicals; Ergonomie -- Périodiques; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Human engineering; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 620.8
• DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2016.1153223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1080-3548

Abstract

Abstract : Activation of back musculature during work tasks leads to fatigue and potential injury. This is especially prevalent in dentists who perform much of their work from a seated position. We examined the use of an ergonomic dental stool with mid-sternum chest support for reducing lower back muscle activation. Electromyography of lower back extensors was assessed from 30 dental students for 20 s during three conditions in random order: (a) sitting upright at 90° of hip flexion on a standard stool, (b) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion on a standard stool, and (c) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion while sitting on an ergonomic stool. Muscular activity of the back extensors was reduced when using the ergonomic stool compared to the standard stool, by 33–50% ( p < 0.01). This suggests a potential musculoskeletal benefit with use of a dental stool with mid-sternum chest support.