ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive analysis of a novel ergonomic index, i.e. the Method for Movement and Gesture Assessment (MMGA), which has been designed to exploit the potentialities of modem motion analysis technologies and to be applied to both static and dynamic movements. The 3D total-body kinematics of 15 male and 15 females subjects that performed reaching tasks was recorded by an optoelectronic system. Joint angles patterns and segmental mass distribution were used to estimate the comfort/discomfort scores, in a movement domain that was defined by 21 target points, on a 7-by-3 vertical grid placed at 2 different distances from the subject. The agreement between the MMGA and the corresponding LUBA indexes was analyzed and appeared consistent. Furthermore the MMGA may provide a more sensitive ranking over a wider range of dynamic motor strategies. Therefore, it may be integrated into motion simulation software and used for the quantitative ergonomic assessment of working environments/activities.
