Investigation of hand muscle fatigue and its influential factors in manual tasks

Abstract

Muscle fatigue (MF) can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the long term; however, it can be managed if the causes are well known. This study aimed to examine the grip force (GF) and grip fatigue (GFa) of employees with light, moderate and heavy manual tasks using a dynamometer and find their possible relationship with other factors. The nature of heavy manual tasks led to more experience of GFa and GF of the right hand. Moreover, the equal need for both hands in occupations with light and moderate manual tasks is the reason for more GFa in the left hand. In this primary study, the height, weight and age of subjects and their exposure to vibration had a decisive effect on GF. In order to determine the accurate effects of the aforementioned risk factors on MF, it is recommended for future studies to be performed on larger populations.

Keywords: ergonomics; force change index; hand muscle fatigue; manual tasks.