Passive Vs. Active Wearable Technology Monitoring Trunk Flexion in Elementary Teachers

Bailey, J., Strawderman, L., Burch V, R. F., Saucier, D., & Kikuta, R. (2024). Passive Vs. Active Wearable Technology Monitoring Trunk Flexion in Elementary Teachers. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics (IJHFE). Inder Science Online. 11(2), 172-187. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHFE.2024.139190.

The objective of this study was to assess the biomechanical and subjective measures of elementary school teachers while wearing active and/or passive wearable devices during the average workday. Ten elementary school teachers wore a harness that held an upright GO 2 posture tracking device and a Vicon blue Trident sensor on the participant's upper back for two school days. Haptic feedback was on for one day and off for the other. Data from the Vicon wearable was analysed to determine participants' trunk flexion severity, frequency, and duration. Surveys were used to determine perceived exertion and perception of wearable technology. This study found that teachers are undergoing severe trunk flexion throughout the day; however, there was not significant improvement in trunk flexion when haptic feedback was applied. Results also indicated that perceived exertion levels of teachers did not always correlate to the frequency of trunk flexion measured through the wearable device.