title: A comparative study of two shovel designs.
abstract: In the present study a modified shovel design with two perpendicular shafts is presented. This modified, two-shaft shovel was compared with a regular shovel. The modified shovel was evaluated and tested in a controlled laboratory environment using surface electromyography recorded from the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The new shovel design was also tested in a field study using ratings of perceived exertion. The results indicate that there was a significant reduction in EMG values of the lumbar paraspinal muscles and a consistent reduction in perceived exertion ratings while the modified shovel was being used for removing dirt in digging trenches up to 90 cm in depth.
authors.affiliation: NASA AMES Research Center, M.S. 262-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degani
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Asfour
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Waly
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Koshy