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
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.