Joan M. Stevenson, Queen’s University
Kinesiology and Health Studies Professor Emeritus Rehabilitation Therapy Kingston, Ontario stevensj@queensu.ca
Bio/Research
My research foci are centered on two main themes: reducing the prevalence of low back pain and ergonomic design of equipment. In the area low back pain, my NSERC research program is focused on an examination of strength-based and technique-based factors that combine to determine an individual’s l...
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Bio/Research
My research foci are centered on two main themes: reducing the prevalence of low back pain and ergonomic design of equipment. In the area low back pain, my NSERC research program is focused on an examination of strength-based and technique-based factors that combine to determine an individual’s lifting technique. By working with doctoral students, this basic work has led to the development of an on-body lift assistive device (PLAD) that is funded by a CIHR operating grant. The PLAD is attached at the shoulders, pelvis and knees and has elastic elements that are stretched as a person lowers their body in preparation for lifting. The elastic elements help the person extend in the back, and thighs during the up-phase of the lift. Current research is centered on refining the device and testing potential contra-indications to its use. Then, we propose to test injured workers who are in rehabilitation programs as a result of a back injury or subjects who are continuing to work with back pain.
The second research area is developing objective measures to assist with the design of new load carriage systems. With colleagues from the Ergonomics Research Group, we have developed mannequin-based simulators that can be used to measure pack stiffness, load distribution on the shoulders and waist, pack-person motion, skin contact pressures and forces and moments at the hips. These measures were validated against soldiers’ opinions of eleven different pack-based systems. Using these tools, we helped design and evaluate the new Canadian military load carriage system; specifically, the fragmentation vest, tactical assault vest and rucksack. We are currently working on a dynamic biomechanical model to determine the backpack pressures and forces on the body. This will be used in a load carriage limit equation that will help military commanders make better estimates of the loads soldiers can carry over certain marching conditions. In addition, we are researching backpacks for children. We are examining the appropriateness of various pack designs to minimize poor body and spinal postures, developing educational programs to teach proper mechanics to Grade 5 children and developing a backpack rating system to help parents, manufacturers and children make better backpack choices. These approaches and assessment tools use biomechanical outputs to help make design decisions.
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The second research area is developing objective measures to assist with the design of new load carriage systems. With colleagues from the Ergonomics Research Group, we have developed mannequin-based simulators that can be used to measure pack stiffness, load distribution on the shoulders and waist, pack-person motion, skin contact pressures and forces and moments at the hips. These measures were validated against soldiers’ opinions of eleven different pack-based systems. Using these tools, we helped design and evaluate the new Canadian military load carriage system; specifically, the fragmentation vest, tactical assault vest and rucksack. We are currently working on a dynamic biomechanical model to determine the backpack pressures and forces on the body. This will be used in a load carriage limit equation that will help military commanders make better estimates of the loads soldiers can carry over certain marching conditions. In addition, we are researching backpacks for children. We are examining the appropriateness of various pack designs to minimize poor body and spinal postures, developing educational programs to teach proper mechanics to Grade 5 children and developing a backpack rating system to help parents, manufacturers and children make better backpack choices. These approaches and assessment tools use biomechanical outputs to help make design decisions.
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