Biomechanical studies of the influence of the posture and the load of the upper limbs on the load of the spine during sedentary work

A 3-D model of the human trunk was developed. It makes it possible to calculate the load on the vertebra and the intervertebral discs depending on the load of external forces and the moments exerted on the spine in connection with the posture of the upper limbs and their load. The finite element method was used in modelling the trunk.The influence of the posture and the load of the upper limbs on the load of the spine in the sedentary posture was analysed with the use of this model. 27 simulations were carried out for the 3 selected body postures and 9 different values of the applied force.The presented model of the human musculoskeletal system can - after an experimental verification - be used to determine the load of the human motor system at a workstation.