Assessment of Muscular Activity and Postural Load During Coffee Harvesting Activities: A Case Study

espanolObjetivo: Analizar y evaluar los riesgos de postura, fuerza y movimientos repetitivos asociados con las actividades manuales de recoleccion de cafe. Materiales y metodos: Autorreporte de incomodidad en 28 participantes, de los cuales 4 se ofrecieron como voluntarios para una evaluacion de la carga postural sobre la actividad muscular mediante electromiografia y electrogoniometria. Se evaluaron 8 musculos de las extremidades superiores y la cinematica de la muneca y la parte superior del brazo dominante. Resultados: Los resultados del autorreporte arrojaron que existe una mayor demanda, desde la percepcion del recolector, en areas como la espalda, la espalda baja, las rodillas y los pies durante un periodo de una semana de trabajo. Los resultados de la evaluacion de la actividad muscular mostraron que el extensor cubital del carpo era el musculo con mayor demanda durante la evaluacion. La actividad dinamica del musculo excedio el 20 % de la contraccion voluntaria maxima, que clasifica la cosecha de cafe como una actividad amenazante. La carga postural en los segmentos del cuerpo revelo que la desviacion de la muneca era critica, debido a un rango anormal de las munecas durante la actividad. Conclusiones: Es necesario mejorar las condiciones de trabajo de los recolectores de cafe. EnglishObjective: The goal of this case study was to analyze and evaluate the posture, force and repetitive movement risks associated with manual coffee harvesting activities. Materials and Methods: A self-discomfort report was administered to 28 participants, of whom 4 volunteered for an evaluation of postural load on muscular activity using electromyography and electrogoniometry. Eight upper limb muscles and the kinematics of the wrist and upper arm of the dominant arm were assessed. Results: The results of the self-discomfort report showed a greater demand, from the harvester’s perception, in areas such as the back, lower back, knees and feet during a period of one week of work. The outcomes of the muscular activity assessment showed that the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECR) was the muscle with the highest demand during the assessment. The dynamic activity of the muscle exceeded 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), which classifies coffee harvesting as a threatening activity. The postural load on the body segments revealed that wrist deviation was critical due to an abnormal range of the wrists during the activity. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the working conditions of the coffee harvesters