Myotonometry as a tool for determination of fatigue in the upper extremities of garment industry workers

Abstract

The myotonometric measurements of upper limb muscles of garment workers working in a static posture are presented. The workers’ pain intensity was followed on the pain Visual Analogue Scale. The results show that M trapezius and other spine muscles differ at the beginning and the end of the workweek. In hand muscles, the difference is not so significant. The load accumulates in the hands over the years, and the spine and neck get tired more quickly; therefore, there are more complaints of pain in the neck and back. The values of measured stiffness of the muscles was between 156–278 N/m and for the own frequency of muscles 11.2–16.5 Hz.