Abstract
Cardiovascular and muscle load levels were evaluated during floor cleaning. A group of 12 experienced female cleaners participated in the study. 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 recordings were obtained during floor cleaning. With respect to relative heart rate and oxygen consumption the two groups did not differ. The results revealed a high cardiovascular load corresponding on average to 53% of the individual maximal oxygen uptake. In addition 65% of the observed period was spent with the back in a position forward flexed more than 20°. The time spent in extreme forward back flexion was shorter for the mopping group. Both groups exhibited high static, median and peak shoulder muscle load levels of 10%, 25% and 54% maximal voluntary contraction, respectively. At the same time, however, the mopping group tended to have a higher shoulder load than the group using the scrub and cloth method. Furthermore, electromyographic signs of fatigue in the trapezius muscle indicated a more stereotype activation of the shoulder muscles during mopping than during scrubbing. Based on these results, it was concluded that mopping cannot be recommended as less strenuous than scrubbing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersson G, Bjurvall M, Bolinder E, Frykman G, Jonsson B, Kilborm Å, Lagerlöv E, Michaelsson G, Nyström Å, Olbe G, Roslund J, Rydell N, Sundell L, Westerholm P (1981) Model for the assessment of back injuries according to the occupational injury insurance act (in Swedish). Läkartidningen 78:2765–2767
Andersson G, Bjurvall M, Bolinder E, Frykman G, Jonsson B, Kilbom Å, Lagerlöv E, Michaelsson G, Nyström Å, Olbe G, Roslund J, Rydell N, Sundell L, Westerholm P (1983) Model for the assessment of neck and shoulder injuries according to the occupational injury insurance act (in Swedish). Läkartidningen 80:3186–3189
Asmussen E, Hemmingsen I (1958) Determination of maximum working capacity at different ages in work with the legs or with the arms. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 10:67–71
Asmussen E, Molbech S (1959) Methods and standards for evaluation of the physiological working capacity of patients. Comm Nat Assoc Infant Paral 3:3–16
Asmussen E, Heebøll-Nielsen K (1962) Isometric muscle strength in relation to age in men and women. Ergonomics 5:167–169
Åstrand I (1960) Aerobic work capacity in men and women with special reference to age. Acta Physical Scand 49 [Suppl 169]: 45–60
Björkstén M, Itani T, Jonsson B, Yoshizawa M (1987) Evaluation of muscular load in shoulder and forearm muscles among medical secretaries during occupational typing and some nonoccupational activities. In: Jonsson B (ed) Biomechanics X-A. pp 35–39
Blair SN, Brill PA, Kohl HW (1988) Physical activity patterns in older individuals. In: Spirduso WW, Eckert HM (eds) Physical activity and aging. American Academy of Physical Education Papers no. 22. Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, Ill., pp 120–139
Bonjer FH (1971) Energy expenditure. In: Parmeggiani L (ed) Encyclopedia of occupational health and safety. International Labour Organisation, Geneva, pp 458–460
Borg G (1970) Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress. Scand J Rehabil Med 2:92–98
Caldwell LS, Chaffin DB, Dukes-Dobos FN, Kroemer KHE, Laubach LL, Snook SH, Wasserman DE (1974) A proposed standard procedure for static muscle strength testing. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 35:201–206
Chiang H-C, Ko Y-C, Chen S-S, Yu H-S, Wu T-N, Chang P-Y (1993) Prevalence of shoulder and upper-limb disorders among workers in the fish-processing industry. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:126–131
Christensen H (1986) Muscle activity and fatigue in the shoulder muscles of assembly-plant employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 12:582–587
Danish Working Environment Service (1989) Notified occupational diseases, Yearly survey 1986 (in Danish). At-statistics
Hagberg M, Hagberg C (1989) Risks and prevention of muskuloskeletal disorders among dentists. In: Brune DK, Edling C (eds) Occupational hazards among health professionals. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 323–332
Hagen KB, Vik T, Myhr NE, Opsahl PA, Harms-Ringdahl K (1993) Physical workload, perceived exertion, and output of cut wood as related to age in motor-manual cutting. Ergonomics 36:479–488
Hagner I-M, Hagberg M (1989) Evaluation of two floor-mopping work methods by measurement of load. Ergonomics 32:401–408
Hossack KF, Bruce RA (1982) Maximal cardiac function in sedentary normal men and women: comparison of age-related changes. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 53:799–804
Ilmarinen J, Vouhevaara V, Korhonen O, Nygård CH, Hakola T, Suvanto S (1991) Changes in maximal cardiorespiratory capacity among aging municipal employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 17 [Supp] 1]:99–109
Jensen BR, Schibye B, Søgaard K, Simonsen EB, Sjøgaard G (1993) Shoulder muscle load and muscle fatigue among industrial sewing-machine operators. Eur J Appl Physiol 67:467–475
Jonsson B (1978) Quantitative electromyographic evaluation of muscular load during work. Scand J Rehabil Med [Suppl] 6:69–74
Jørgensen K (1985) Permissible loads based on energy expenditure measurements. Ergonomics 28:365–369
Kilbom Å (1988) Isometric strength and occupational muscle disorders. Eur J Appl Physiol 57:322–326
Kilbom Å, Persson J (1985) Low capacity of the shoulder muscles as a risk factor for occupational cervicobrachial disorders. In: Brown ID, Goldsmith R, Combes K, Sinclair MA (eds) Proceedings 9th Congress of International Ergonomics Association, Bournemouth. Taylor R Francis, London, pp 553–555
Kilbom Å, Persson J (1987) Work technique and its consequences for musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics 30:273–279
Kwatny E, Thomas DH, Kwatny HG (1970) An application of signal processing techniques to the study of myoelectric signals. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng BME-17:303–312
Louhevaara V, Ilmarinen J (1985) Comparison of three field methods for measuring oxygen consumption. Ergonomics 28:463–470
Louhevaara V, Ilmarinen J, Nygaard C-H, Pesonen I (1989) Stress and strain in cleaners work. Ergonmics 25:524–525
Moroney SP, Schultz AB, Miller JAA (1988) Analysis and measurement of neck loads. J Orthop Res 6:713–720
Nielsen J (1995) Occupational health among cleaners (in Danish with English summary). Thesis. University of Copenhagen, National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen
Steensberg L (1993) Anmeldte arbejdsbetingede lidelser. Årsopgørelse 1992. Arbejdstilsynet, København
Takala E-P (1991) Assessment of neck-shoulder disorders in occupational health care practice. Institute of Occupational Health Finland, Helsinki
Vanwonterghem K (1986) A postural load evaluation technique: based on energy expenditure, heart rate and subjective appreciation. In: Corlett N, Wilson J, Manenica I (eds) The ergonomics of working postures. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 256–269
Veiersted KB, Westgaard RH, Andersen P (1990) Pattern of muscle activity during sterotyped work and its relation to muscle pain. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 62:31–41
Wiker SF, Chaffin DB, Langolf GD (1990) Shoulder postural fatigue and discomfort. A preliminary finding of no relationship with isometric strength capability in a light-weight manual assembly task. Int J Ind Erg 5:133–146
Winkel J, Ekblom B, Hagberg M, Jonsson B (1983) The working environment of cleaners. Evaluation of physical strain in mopping and swabbing as a basis for job redesign. In: Kvålseth TO (ed) Ergonomics of workstation design. Butterworth, London, pp 35–44
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Søgaard, K., Fallentin, N. & Nielsen, J. Work load during floor cleaning. The effect of cleaning methods and work technique. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 73, 73–81 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262812
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262812