Introduction

ANATOMY

• Greek ‘ana’ = up, and ‘tome’ = a cutting, hence cutting up of a body.

• The art of dissecting, or artificially separating the different parts of any organized body, to
discover their situation, structure, and economy.

• Dissection.

• The science that deals with the form and structure of organic bodies; anatomical structure or
organization.

• Human body is a mechanical system which obeys physical laws - designed to perform a variety
of functions in daily life.

• The skeleton plays the major role in the body – all other parts are attached, directly or
indirectly.

• The body may be stable/unstable and able to withstand a limited range of physical stresses.

Muscle Structure and Functions

• Muscles make up to 45% of the total body weight.

• Human body consists of more than 600 muscles. These can be divided into 3 types - Skeletal
muscles; Cardiac muscles and Smooth muscles.

Human Muscles

1. Skeletal muscles : These are connected to the bones and provide the force and movement
needed to carry out external tasks. The structure of these muscles largely determines human
physical capabilities and limitations .

2. Cardiac muscles : It is an integral part of the heart and helps it to pump out the blood for
circulation.

3. Smooth muscles : These are connected to internal organs such as stomach, intestines, blood
vessels, etc.
 Functions of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems

Skeletal System Muscular System

1. Support. 1. Produce movement of

2. Protection (the skull protects the body or body parts.

the brain and the rib cage 2. Maintain posture.

protects the heart and lungs). 3. Produce heat (muscle cells produce heat as a by-pr
an
3. Movement (muscles are
important mechanism for maintaining body
attached to bone and when
temperature.
they contract, movement is

produced by lever action of

bones and joints).

4. Homopoiesis (certain bones

produce red blood cells in

their marrow).

Contraction

Two types of contraction :

1. Static or Isometric contractions

2. Dynamic contractions

1. Static or Isometric Contractions

Muscle can produce force without changing its length, that is, isometric contraction.

In such a case, no external work is done.

Static contraction, at its maximum can only be maintained for a short period (about 10s
or so).
Many examples of this type of contraction can be seen in daily life - maintaining a
posture, holding a weight or standing at a place without any movement
 2. Dynamic Contractions

• Dynamic contraction (work) is characterised by a contraction period followed by a

relaxation period.

• In dynamic contraction, blood supply to the muscle is not affected.

• Due to a contraction-relaxation cycle, blood is pumped in and out the muscle, thereby
removing waste products of the energy metabolism - the muscle acts more like a blood
pump.

Postural Stress vs Task-induced Stress

According to Grieve and Pheasant (1982) :

• Postural stress : the mechanical load on the body by virtue of its posture (the average
orientation of the body parts, with respect to each other, over time)

Postural Stress vs Task-induced Stress

• Task-induced stress :

Results from the performance of the task itself, i.e. repetitive movement of
wrist or fingers.

Posture and Strength

Posture

• Posture can be defined as the orientation of the body and its parts in relation to each other.

• Posture has considerable influence on a person's ability to exert force.

• Posture affects the length-tension relationship.

“Strength”

Strength can be divided into two types :

• 1. Static (isometric) strength

• 2. Dynamic strength

1. Static Strength

• The maximum steady force or torque which an individual can exert in static exertion of short
duration (3-5 secs).

• This is also known as maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).

2. Dynamic Strength
3. Dynamic strength, unlike static strength, is difficult to define due to :

Acceleration / velocity / impulse movement/jerk effects on force exerted by a muscle

Muscle length changes with joint motion
 “Causes of Back Injuries”
1. Strain from improper sitting or standing postures, sometimes due to poor workplace design.
2. Sudden or frequent twisting and/or bending of the back.
3. Sudden strain on generally unused muscles or jerking of the object.
“Lifting Recommendations”
• Ensure that workers assigned manual lifting tasks are in good physical shape.
• Place material conveniently within reach (have handling aids available)
• Train workers to get a good grip on the load and test the weight before trying to move it.
“Lifting Recommendations (cont.)”
• Do not twist the back or bend sideways.
• Do not hesitate to get mechanical help or from other person.
• Do not continue heaving when the load is too heavy.
“Posture and Strength”
Posture
• Posture can be defined as the orientation of the body and its parts in relation to each other.
• Posture has considerable influence on a person's ability to exert force.
• Posture affects the length-tension relationship.