Dental Stool Manuscript_v4 revised (accepted).pdf (118.02 kB)
Download fileA dental stool with chest support reduces lower back muscle activation
journal contribution
posted on 2016-04-27, 09:02 authored by Viet Tran, Reid Turner, Andrew MacFadden, Stephen M. Cornish, Dale EsligerDale Esliger, Kuni Komiyama, Philip D. ChilibeckActivation of back musculature during work tasks leads to fatigue and potential injury. This is especially prevalent in dentists who perform much of their work from a seated position. We examined the use of an ergonomic dental stool with mid-sternum chest support for reducing lower back muscle activation. Electromyography of lower back extensors was assessed from 30 dental students for 20 s during three conditions in random order: (a) sitting upright at 90° of hip flexion on a standard stool, (b) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion on a standard stool, and (c) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion while sitting on an ergonomic stool. Muscular activity of the back extensors was reduced when using the ergonomic stool compared to the standard stool, by 33-50% (p < 0.01). This suggests a potential musculoskeletal benefit with use of a dental stool with mid-sternum chest support.
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