Levels of Muscular Activity in Different Parts of the Body During Basic Nursing Actions

The present study aims to describe muscular activity levels of each part of the body used in 21 basic nursing actions, and to compare two sets of techniques used for postural change: ergonomic techniques introduced by Kamiya (1991) (A method) and conventional techniques (B method). The subjects were seven young adult women with experience in nursing. In each of the 21 nursing actions, surface EMGs from 16 different muscles were recorded using portable electromyography apparatus. Maximal EMG response (EMGmax) during isometric maximal voluntary contraction for each muscle was used to normalize the EMG signal (% EMGmax). In all 21 actions, the activity level of each muscle was 30% EMGmax or less. As a result of a repeated 2-way ANOVA on 12 postural change actions, significant effects for each of the 2 factors (action and muscle) for muscular activity level and their interaction were recognized. The muscles which indicated relative higher activity levels were erector spinae, soleus, and biceps brachii. The actions of “sitting”, “lying”, and “half raise” (B method) also showed high muscular activity levels in each part of the body. Moreover, it was confirmed that some postural change methods which used the theory of body mechanics lowered activity levels in the arm and lower back muscles in comparison with conventional methods. The results of this study will be useful in: estimating the levels of physical fitness and techniques necessary for nurses; developing and improving nursing equipment; and in structuring exercise programs for nursing staff.