ABSTRACT
Quantitative analysis of human movement, via video motion measurement, can be a powerful means for addressing important ergonomics issues (e.g., potential modifications of occupational tasks, directed at preventing acute and/or cumulative trauma injury) (Berguer, 1997; Boston, 1995; Garg, 1991; Gracovetsky, 1990; Kumar, 1990, 1994; Lee, 1994; Pascarelli, 1993; Rudy, 1995). Statistics and correlations pertaining to injury incidence can suggest potential hazards of certain occupational tasks; however, statistical inferences cannot explain mechanisms by which injuries occur due to task performance. Identifying such mechanisms generally requires quantitative understanding of the kinematics, and often the kinetics, of a task. Actual knowledge of injury mechanisms is typically vital for effecting preventative modifications.
