Estimation of Spine Loads During Daily Activities and Its Relationship with Musculoskeletal Disorders in Elderly Indigenous Women

This investigation aims to establish a correlation between spine deformations in indigenous elderly female of Ecuador and the magnitude and maneuver of the loads they manipulate. The women work, since infancy, in agricultural and home labors and tend to do so when carrying on their backs their siblings, children or grandchildren. Photoshoots of static body postures of daily activities were the source for body segment angles identification using 3-Dimensional Static Strength Prediction Program to calculate the biomechanical demands estimating the values of compressive and shear forces at the spine complementing the use of methods for ergonomic evaluations. The calculated lower back compression forces were compared to the NIOSH guidelines. The maximum weight of agricultural loads in the evaluated activities ranged from 50 to 100 lb. The findings should be used to modify the standard of agricultural packages reducing their capacity to protect the health of women stevedores.