Forthcoming Lecture Demonstration
Ergonomics and Body Mechanics:
At Home and at Work
Speaker: Dr. Deepak Sharan
Date and Time: Thursday,
May 12, 2005 (from 6:30 pm)
Venue: Oxford Bookstore,
Leela Galleria, The Leela Palace, Shop # B4 - B8, # 23 Airport
Road, Bangalore 560008 Phone: 5115 5222 / 5115 5223 (Contact Person:
Ms. Shweata Kaushal)
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the 'science of work' and is devoted to maximising
human performance without causing injuries. It explores the relationships
between the worker, the nature of work and the environment.
What is body mechanics?
Posture is any position in which the body resides. It is further
defined by the relationship of body segments to one another. Body
mechanics is posture in motion. Though posture is often thought
of as a stationary position, control of moving postures is perhaps
even more important in task performance and injury control. Body
mechanics refers to the correct or most efficient way to perform
daily activities that are safe, energy conserving and help prevent
the physical strains that may cause injury. It involves the use
of good posture, balance, and the strongest and largest muscles
of the body to perform work.
What are the consequences of improper
ergonomics and body mechanics?
- Acute muscle strains and sprains
- Slipped disc
- Joint stiffness
- Osteoporosis
- Chronic pain conditions like Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
All these are painful, debilitating and sometimes disabling conditions.
People often develop Musculoskeletal pain because they do not
know how to or are unable to protect their bodies. Ergonomics
and body mechanics are critical factors for human performance,
allowing us to move efficiently, with an ability to create great
force and absorb heavy resistance. When body segments are aligned
properly, movement is efficient and injury risk is minimised.
When body segments are not aligned properly, movement is less
efficient and risk of injury is increased.
What are the high-risk categories for
musculoskeletal injuries?
- Sedentary workers involved in repetitive tasks, e.g., computer
users
- Housewives
- Teachers
- Musicians
- Students who carry heavy backpacks
Why should you care about Ergonomics
and Body Mechanics?
- Preliminary results of Dr. Sharan's ongoing study of over 6500
Indian IT professionals (2001-2005) found that 75% reported musculoskelatal
symptoms; 55% got injured within a year of starting their first
job.
- RSI can seriously disrupt work and domestic life. Injured workers
can become unemployed and unemployable. This has already happened
to at least 35 young IT/ITES professionals (20-35 years) in India.
- Over 50% of schoolchildren in Chennai were found to be in chronic
musculoskeletal pain due to carrying heavy backpacks (2001).
Contents of the Lecture Demonstration:
The lecture demonstration will cover correct posture and body
mechanics while performing common activities like standing, sitting,
walking, sleeping, lifting and performing common household chores.
The application of ergonomic principles while working with computers
and in typical offices will be discussed.
To read details of our training programmes
on RSI prevention CLICK
HERE
To read about
our RSI treatment approach CLICK HERE
To read my educational columns on RSI
in the World's topmost English Newspaper CLICK HERE
To read what newspapers and magazines
are writing about us CLICK
HERE
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