Motion Capture Vacuuming-MoCapVac: study description and summary of initial motion analysis results

Background: Vacuuming is a frequently performed activity, not only by professional cleaners but also in private households. This article describes the protocol of the Motion Capture Vacuuming (MoCapVac) project and summarizes the initial results.Methodology: For the implementation of the project, subjectively healthy adults who do not work full-time as cleaners were measured. Their posture was recorded by means of inertial motion capture during habitual vacuuming with eight different vacuum cleaners on two different floor coverings (carpet and PVC flooring) while vacuuming with one and two arms. Preliminary results were obtained from data of 31 (21 female/10 male) healthy subjects both descriptively and using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). For future data analysis the use of a support vector machine (SVM) is planned as well as the ergonomic classification of the kinematic data using the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA).Results: Preliminary results showed that a homogeneous vacuuming speed per distance covered was seen across all subjects and conditions with a significantly higher dispersion of joint angles in the upper extremity compared to the trunk and hip. The SPM showed significant differences between habitual vacuuming on carpet and PVC flooring in all joints studied.Discussion: From the first results it is clear that habitual vacuuming is a dynamic activity with a large variability in the upper extremity compared to the trunk and hip joints. In future analyses the question should be pursued whether classifications between two measurement conditions (e.g., floor conditions) are possible and movements, positions or joints of the upper extremity that are particularly at risk for musculoskeletal disorders should be identified by means of ergonomic risk assessment.