Title: Using Peak Vicon data to drive Classic JACK animation for the comparison of low back loads experienced during para-rowing

Authors: Bradley Cutler; Thomas Merritt; Tammy Eger; Alison Godwin

Addresses: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada ' Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada ' School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada ' School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada

Abstract: The use of kinematic data collected from subjects in a Vicon laboratory can be used to generate human motion within the Classic JACK simulation environment. This feature is primarily used in the ergonomic design of equipment that the human must interact with. In this case, the research was evaluating the estimated low-back joint force while rowing in one of three para-rowing setups. This paper describes the method by which Vicon data were recorded, smoothed, imported and applied to the JACK manikin to produce realistic rowing animations. It also describes how the kinetic information from a load cell placed in-line with the ergometer chain was recorded, conditioned and applied to the virtual hands of the JACK manikin to improve the force estimates of the lower back. The low back compressive forces estimated by the Classic JACK program are compared to the NIOSH occupational limits as a point of reference. Findings suggest that males, but not females, rowing in the trunk and arms category were significantly above the NIOSH action limit. Females rowing in the arm and shoulder category were significantly below the NIOSH action limit. Future work will evaluate how design features of the para-rowing setup might be altered to reduce joint loading.

Keywords: Classic JACK; low back load; para-rowing; simulation; ergometry; kinetics; NIOSH action limit; kinematics; animation; human motion; ergonomics; low back joint force; rowing animations; virtual hands; JACK manikin; lower back; compressive forces; gender; trunk; arms; shoulders; joint load reduction; joint loading; disabilities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2015.075359

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2015 Vol.5 No.2, pp.99 - 112

Received: 06 May 2014
Accepted: 11 Feb 2015

Published online: 16 Mar 2016 *

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