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Browsing by Author "Hobbs-Murphy, Kayna, committee member"

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    Characterizing stooped posture of agricultural tasks
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Sanders, Denali, author; Rosecrance, John, advisor; Brazile, Bill, committee member; Hobbs-Murphy, Kayna, committee member
    Agricultural field workers worldwide are often required to work in stooped postures during their working tasks. Stooped postures constitute a significant risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal disorders, specifically low back pathologies that cause pain. Chronic low back pain is a devastating disorder that can lead to depression, decreased mobility, lower quality of life, absenteeism from work, and decreased work productivity. Unfortunately, few studies have quantified stooped postures among agricultural workers, which makes it difficult to develop targeted work design improvements. The present study aimed to characterize stooped postures among workers engaged in several common agricultural tasks. Agricultural workers (N=43) were recruited from multiple Colorado farms and represented eight distinct work tasks. Participants wore a biomodule that contained a tri-axial accelerometer (Zephyr BioHarness) on their chests to record and log trunk postures in degrees for approximately two hours during specific work tasks. Data recorded on the sensor module were downloaded and analyzed in a customized RStudio program by participant and task to determine task cycle time, percentage of time spent in three posture categories (<0° to 30°, >30° to <60°, ≥60°), and mean trunk flexion. Stooped posture was defined as a trunk flexion equal to or greater than 60 degrees. The data indicated differences in task cycle time, percentage of time spent in posture categories, and mean trunk flexion across agricultural tasks. The results of the current study provide quantitative data that can help inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at reducing stooped postures in agricultural workers. Additionally, the methods developed in the present study may assist the Colorado Department of Agriculture and farm owners with evaluating the policies established in the Colorado Senate Bill (SB 21-087), which limits stooped postures during agricultural tasks that involve thinning and weeding during crop production.