WORK LOAD DURING FLOOR CLEANING - THE EFFECT OF CLEANING METHODS AND WORK TECHNIQUE

Citation
K. Sogaard et al., WORK LOAD DURING FLOOR CLEANING - THE EFFECT OF CLEANING METHODS AND WORK TECHNIQUE, European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 73(1-2), 1996, pp. 73-81
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Physiology
ISSN journal
03015548
Volume
73
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1996
Pages
73 - 81
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-5548(1996)73:1-2<73:WLDFC->2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Cardiovascular and muscle load levels were evaluated during floor clea ning. A group of 12 experienced female cleaners participated in the st udy. Of the subjects 6 used a mopping method and 6 a traditional scrub and cloth method. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, rating of perceived exertion: electromyography from the trapezius muscle and video record ings were obtained during floor cleaning. With respect to relative hea rt rate and oxygen consumption the two groups did not differ. The resu lts revealed a high cardiovascular load corresponding on average to 53 % of the individual maximal oxygen uptake. In addition 65% of the obse rved period was spent with the back in a position forward flexed more than 20 degrees. The time spent in extreme forward back flexion was sh orter for the mopping group. Both groups exhibited high static, median and peak shoulder muscle load levels of 10%, 25% and 54% maximal volu ntary contraction, respectively. At the same time, however, the moppin g group tended to have a higher shoulder load than the group using the scrub and cloth method. Furthermore, electromyographic signs of fatig ue in the trapezius muscle indicated a more stereotype activation of t he shoulder muscles during mopping than during scrubbing. Based on the se results, it was concluded that mopping cannot be recommended as les s strenuous than scrubbing.