K-score: A novel scoring system to quantify fatigue-related ergonomic risk based on joint angle measurements via wearable inertial measurement units. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beltran Martinez, Karla; Nazarahari, Milad; Rouhani, Hossein
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 102(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Electromyography -- Ergonomic risk assessment -- Wearable inertial measurement units; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103757
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been recognized as a global problem that affects millions of people annually. Fatigue is one of the main contributors to musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, this study investigated fatigue detection based on the measured body motion by wearable inertial measurement units. We quantified the body motion during manual handling tasks using a novel kinematic score (i.e., K-score), and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). K-score and REBA were calculated using joint angles. Nevertheless, unlike REBA, K-score showed a significant correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient of ρ(302) = 0.21, p < 0.05) with electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude, which was affected by muscle fatigue. Therefore, in-field measurement of K-score using inertial measurement units could detect the fatigue-induced change of body motion in long-duration manual handling tasks. Our proposed K-score can be used to assess fatigue-related ergonomic risk in long-term and real-world working conditions without the need for tedious EMG recording at workplaces. Highlights: A kinematic score was introduced to detect fatigue during material handling tasks. Wearable IMUs were used to detect fatigue based on REBA and the new kinematic score. Fatigue detected by the proposed method and EMG showed a significant correlation. Our method is an accurate, practical and inexpensive tool for fatigue detection.