ABSTRACT
Even a cursory review of tasks carried out in industries on shop floors, assembly lines, in the field, and other places will reveal the enormity of different human activities performed. The scope is further enlarged due to differences in anthropometry and/or ethnicity. In the strength field, we stabilize the subjects and all other joints (other those than being studied) that could possibly modify or contribute to the effort and then measure the strength capability in an activity that is very narrowly defined. This is essential if we want to know the strength capability of that joint in that specific effort. In industry, however, rarely can one find an activity that requires such a narrow motion scope. Multiple joints are commonly involved in executing a certain kind of motion on the industrial shop floor. This is where our purist scientific approach falls short in telling us the varying strength capability of a joint as it undergoes complex motion — either alone or in concert with other joints. There is a significant need for such data in industry. Additionally, specific industrial tasks can benefit from measurement of task-specific strength. Such data may assist in design of tasks and/or injury control.
