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Research Studies |
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EMG MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVE INFLUENCES OF AN INSOLE PROGRAM IN THE MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT
Carley, P ., American International College, Springfield, MA, USA; DiSanto, A., American International College, Springfield, MA, USA; Leonovich, M., American International College, Springfield, MA, USA;Letourneau, M., American International College, Springfield, MA, USA; Riggs, K., American InternationalCollege, Springfield, MA, USA
Aims
The background of this preliminary mixed method study design was to investigate the use of an insole program using MEGAComfort’s Personal Anti- Fatigue Mats (PAM's) within a manufacturing work environment from an objective and subjective perspective. The manufacturing employees at HASBRO Games agreed that the company’s year old shoe insole program was helping with daily aches and pains while working on the factory concrete floors. The actual physical mechanism for the reported reduction in aches and pains remained unknown. The purpose of the two pilot studies was to compare subjective perceptions of discomfort and objective lower leg muscle activity utilizing electromyography (EMG) with and without insoles while performing work related tasks on concrete floors. The individual subjective responses of perceived discomfort were captured before and after the insole program was implemented. There were 24 randomly selected employees that participated in the preliminary EMG study and 41 employees who participated in the subjective study at HASBRO Games. All participants reported spending approximately 60% to 90% of their workday standing/working on concrete floors.
Methods
A BioPac MP-30 EMG device was utilized to record and monitor each subject’s right Tibialis Anterior and Medial Gastrocnemius muscle activity for peak and average EMG muscle activity. The subjects’ maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) of both muscles were recorded followed by a period of static standing, performance of work related activity on the factory floor, and then a return to static standing for a set period. The EMG testing protocol was repeated and randomized as to testing the subjects with or without the shoe insoles for their first testing trial. Subjective responses were recorded, categorized, interpreted using a pre and four-week post survey for perceived levels of discomfort.
Results
The results from the objective data revealed 70% of the employees demonstrated a decrease in Tibialis Anterior Peak and Mean muscle activity with the use of insoles. The comparison of EMG activity utilizing the shoe insoles resulted in a statistically significant (0.05 level) reduction in Peak Tibialis Anterior activity but not for the Mean Tibialis Anterior muscle activity. In addition, 50% of the subjects demonstrated a decrease in Peak Gastrocnemius activity and 60% of the participants demonstrated a decrease in the Mean Gastrocnemius activity with insoles when compared to no insoles but the EMG muscle activity difference was not statistically significant with or without the use of insoles. The results of the responses for the qualitative component of the study demonstrated 98 percent of the participants reported reduced discomfort levels at the feet, lower legs, knees, hip/back after four weeks of wearing the insoles.
Conclusions
The findings of this preliminary mixed method design for both quantitative and qualitative results demonstrated a reduction in muscle activity in the Tibialis Anterior and Medial Gastrocnemius muscle groups and perceived level of discomfort with the use of the PAM Insoles while standing and working in the manufacturing environment. The initial subjective testimonies of the employees paralleled the initial EMG activity for the beneficial use of insoles and provided further encouragement for the company’s yearlong shoe insole program. The study intends to continue the EMG testing protocol of an additional twenty subjects on the factory floor. Recommended future data analysis will include comparisons of subjects’ mass, age, and gender since these factors that may influence subjective responses and EMG muscle activity needed to produce and control motion while performing work tasks on concrete floors in the manufacturing setting |
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