Kinetic and kinematic evaluation of kneeling work

Kneeling work is considered an occupational hazard that may ultimately result in lower extremity diseases such as osteoarthritis. Previous studies indicate that there is a relationship between exposure to knee-stressing work activities and the development of knee osteoarthritis. This relationship is understudied and remains unclear. This study aims at understanding the kinetics and kinematics of hip and knee joints and trunk during simulated kneeling work with and without the use of kneepads. Ten participants were recruited and consented to perform a series of kneeling tasks that simulated a tile setting task. Five wooden platforms were placed in five locations surrounding two force plates. Participants were asked to reach five locations and randomly place a ceramic tile on the wooden platforms. Prior to performing the tasks, 36 markers were placed on anatomical land marks. The simulation was recorded using ARENA by Natural Point™, with 18 cameras. The data recorded from the force plates and motion capture were combined and analyzed using Matlab™ and OpenSim™ to calculate joint angles and joint moments. The outputs from OpenSim™ were normalized and then analyzed using JMP™. Dunnett's control method was used to compare the means of the independent variables. Results indicated that hip and knee kinematics and kinetics are influenced by reach location and kneepad used. Lumbar extension moment is observed to remain the same with respect to reach location and kneepad used while lumbar bending and rotation moments were altered. These results strengthen the need to study kneeling work and factors that influence lower extremity stresses, including work posture and use of personal protective equipment.