Browsing by Author "Martins, Cristina"
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- Movimentação manual de cargas - influência na força requerida para manutenção do equilíbrio durante a transposição de obstáculos em trabalhadores da constrçãoPublication . Azevedo, Rui; Martins, Cristina; Sá, Maria Manuel; Rodrigues, Carlos; Cardoso, João; Teixeira, José; Barroso, Mónica
- Obstacle clearance while performing manual material handling tasks in construction sitesPublication . Azevedo, Rui; Martins, Cristina; Teixeira, José Cardoso; Barroso, MónicaConstruction is widely known as having high rates of fall accidents. In spite of constant technological advances and increasing process automation, manual material handling still takes place in many construction tasks. These two factors yielded the following research question: “May manual material handling contribute to fall accidents?”. The aim of the research reported in this article is to evaluate the likelihood of same-level falls while performing tasks involving manual material handling during obstacle clearance in various handling positions. A laboratory-based study was performed through the simulation of manual material handling tasks using a 4 m long treadmill. Eight construction workers participated in this study. Participants were tested in three different load positions holding different load weights (10 kg, 18 kg, and 25 kg) while walking on the treadmill. The results demonstrated that the obstacle clearance pattern changes due to the load weight, however, no influence was observed on the load handling strategy. This variation of pattern increases the probability of tripping and falling. Recommendations were made in order to prevent falls in construction sites while performing manual material handling tasks.
- Portuguese Physical Education Instructors’ Exposure to Noise and Perception of Associated RiskPublication . Sá, Maria Manuel; Azevedo, Rui; Martins, Cristina; Machado, OsvaldoThe purpose of this study was to quantify noise exposure of professional physical education instructors in Portugal, understand how they perceive risk and the effects associated with this exposure as well as examine the existence of health complaints potentially related to the exposure to noise. Quantification of sound level exposure comprised 200 measurements of different sport activities in state schools and private health clubs. Characterization of risk perception as well as symptomatology was performed by a three-part survey that provided to a sample of 48 physical education professionals and a comparison group of 52 non-professionals. Results showed the existence of high noise levels that may endanger physical education teachers’ health. These levels are significantly higher in health clubs. Health complaints were significantly higher in the group of professionals, especially concerning hearing difficulties, muffled hearing, intolerance to loud sounds, constant headaches, and irritability. The majority of the physical education instructors are exposed to high levels of sound pressure on a daily basis, which depending on their working hours may compromise their health. This study also reveals the importance of training as well as organizational and structural measures to reduce exposure to harmful noise levels during the performance of sports activities.
- Postural Stability Assessment during Manual Material Handling Tasks – Case StudyPublication . Azevedo, Rui; Martins, Cristina; Sá, Maria Manuel; Teixeira, José; Barroso, MónicaHuman body is a system of segments connected by joints; any voluntary motion of the body causes internal perturbation of balance. Manual handling of loads such as load lifting may increase these perturbations. In a bi-manual whole body lifting task, the grasp of a load and pick it up from the floor induces a forward shift in the position of the centre mass, challenging the dynamic balance regulation while simultaneously impending the ongoing extension movement. In order to compare the disturbance of balance both in back lifting or leg lifting of a frontal load a laboratory-based case-study was performed through the simulation of lifting tasks. A twenty-eight male worker frontally lifted a box from the floor. Two experimental conditions were applied: the participant used leg lift (straight back, bent legs) or back lift (straight legs, bent back) with combinations of two different weight materials. Through the application of the Index of Proximity to the Stability Boundary it was found that both techniques adopted for load lifting seem to equally influence postural balance control. In addition, it was concluded that manual lifting of heavier loads may jeopardize postural balance increasing the occurrence of falls.