Assessment of Upper Extremity Postures in Novice and Expert during Simulated Carpentry Tasks

Abstract

Research has shown differences in working postures between experts and novices for lifting tasks, though there is limited research on upper extremity postural differences between experts and novices. This study quantified upper extremity postural differences between novices and experts while completing two simulated finished carpentry tasks: deck building and picket installation. A 16 camera, motion capture system was used to track upper extremity posture for 21 expert and 21 novice participants while performing 15 minute laboratory task simulations. A biomechanical model, built in AnyBody Modeling System, was used to extract seven different joint postures for wrist, elbow, and shoulder. In general, experts assumed more neutral postures, thereby reducing injury risk associated with non-neutral postures, though task, as expected, dictated the working posture assumed. The picket installation task imposed higher levels of non-neutral wrist and elbow postures; while the deck building imposed higher levels of non-neutral shoulder postures.