title: Paramedics on the job: dynamic trunk motion assessment at the workplace.
abstract: Many paramedics' work accidents are related to physical aspects of the job, and the most affected body part is the low back. This study documents the trunk motion exposure of paramedics on the job. Nine paramedics were observed over 12 shifts (120 h). Trunk postures were recorded with the computer-assisted CUELA measurement system worn on the back like a knapsack. Average duration of an emergency call was 23.5 min. Sagittal trunk flexion of >40° and twisting rotation of >24° were observed in 21% and 17% of time-sampled postures. Medical care on the scene (44% of total time) involved prolonged flexed and twisted postures (∼ 10s). The highest extreme sagittal trunk flexion (63°) and twisting rotation (40°) were observed during lifting activities, which lasted 2% of the total time. Paramedics adopted trunk motions that may significantly increase the risk of low back disorders during medical care and patient-handling activities.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de Recherche en Analyse du Mouvement et Ergonomie, Université Laval, Département de Kinésiologie, 2300 rue de la Terrasse, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prairie
authors.affiliation: Groupe de Recherche en Analyse du Mouvement et Ergonomie, Université Laval, Département de Kinésiologie, 2300 rue de la Terrasse, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18(e) rue, Quebec, QC, Canada G1J 1Z4. Electronic address: philippe.corbeil@kin.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corbeil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D016526:Workload; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Emergency medical service; Musculoskeletal disorder; Three-dimensional trunk motion