to automatically reduce injury risks for workers how can we use … · webinar outline current...

How can we use Sport Science and wearable technology

to automatically reduce injury risks for workers

Webinar outline● Current problems with

workplace injury prevention and RTW

● Effective injury prevention methods and technology

● Translating these methods into WHS

Current Problems with Workplace Injury Prevention Programs

Education / training methods are ineffective at changing behaviour

Limited by time and resources

Approaches are not specific to individual injury risks

Assessments are observation and opinion-based

Future of face-to-face training

Sports-based injury prevention programs (TRIPP)

You need to measure movement quality and quantity

Establishing specific baselines using load

“Load is the process of quantifying the amount of physical training that an athlete undertakes using variables relevant for their sport (accelerometer data, GPS data, movement duration).” AIS

The Most Effective Injury Prevention Programs

The TRIPP Model

T ranslating

R esearch into

I njury

P revention

P ractice

Finch C (2006)

Preventative Measures

Primary Prevention

● Task assessments

● Screening

Secondary Prevention

● Early detection of onset

Tertiary Prevention● Rehab to prevent re-injury

Simply measuring range of motion is not enough

Types of Load

● External Load (biomechanical)● Internal Load (physiological)● Chronic Load (long duration)● Acute Load (short duration)● Acute / Chronic Load ratio

(Training Stress Balance)

Monitoring Load for Secondary Prevention

Acute / Chronic Ratio

Calculating Load

Calculating LoadInternal Load (physiological)

● RPE / Wellness Questionnaires● HR● Galvanic Skin Resistance● Temperature● VO2 & Blood Lactate

External Load (biomechanical)

● Time / Duration● Accelerometry● GPS● Force dynamometry & Power

Wearable Tech

Accuracy and validity

Lee et al (2014) Validity of Consumer-Based Physical Activity Monitors

Calculating Load

It needs to be ● Practical

● User-friendly

● Cost-effective

Monitoring vs Reducing Load

Ben Ray Smith - Australian Institute of Sport and Athletics Australia

Avoiding peaks and troughs

eg. dairy factory

Reduced load = deconditioning

Optimal Load Establish baselines for each ● Occupation,● Task, and ● Location.

Most effective baselines = average

Current Solution to Deliver WHS Services Remotely

1. Acute Load = Task Assessments

2. Chronic Load = Movement Coach

Current Solution to Deliver WHS Services Remotely

Current Solution

Current Solution

Current Solution

Increased use of Smartphone Technology

● Safety refresher training● Advice on aches / pains● Load-based Rehab / RTW● Post WC claim monitoring● Mental health / wellbeing monitoring

Increased use of data

● Acute / Chronic load ratios● Work Task Identification through

data patterns● AI modelling for behaviour change

Future Solutions to Deliver WHS Services Remotely

Current Problems with Working from Home

1. Increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

2. Reduced physical activity

3. Creating a safe and productive environment

Increased Risk of MSD - Sustained Sitting

Some research reviews indicated an increased risk of MSD with prolonged occupational sitting

(Ariens, 2000; Côté P. et al, 2008; Baker R et al, 2018)

Baker R (2018) Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018

Increased Risk of MSD - Sustained Sitting

However, more recent reviews have failed to support this theory (Straker L et al., 2016; Janwantanakul P. et al. 2012; Waersted M, 2010).

“It is not the sitting position itself that increases MSD risk, it is the sustained posture that often occurs whilst sitting.”

Increased Risk of MSD - Sustained Posture

Sustained posture (>10 min) DOES increase risk of MSD - either sitting or standing.(Falla D & Farina D, 2007; Straker L et al., 2011 & 2016; Ariens G A. et al. 2000)

This is due to;● prolonged isometric muscle

contractions resulting in muscle pain, and

● muscle fatigue increasing load on joints and connective tissue.

Increased Risk of MSD - “Poor Posture”

Poor sitting posture DOES NOT indicate increased risk of pain

Poor sitting posture DOES indicate poor ergonomics.(Liao M H & Drury C G. 2000; Seghers J et al. 2003; Straker L et al. 2009; Ariens G A. et al. (2000); Szetoa G P Y. 2002)

Reduced Physical Activity

There is a very strong link between inactivity and cardio-metabolic outcomes including:

● diabetes, ● metabolic syndrome, ● weight gain, and ● cardiovascular disease.

Sedentary time may also appear to be associated with an increased risk of;● psychological distress,● reduced general mental well-being, ● depression, and ● anxiety symptoms.

Reduced Physical Activity

Those in sedentary occupations are the least sedentary outside of work (approximately 4 hours /day),

Those in vigorous occupations spent more of their time outside of work being sedentary (almost 5 hours /day).

(Thorp A A et al. 2012; Tudor-Locke C. et al. 2011).

No studies have been done to compare activity levels between working from the office and working from home

Addressing the Needs of the Worker

Valid and reliable wearable technology to measure worker movements

Data analysis to identify and reduce risks

Providing live feedback to drive behaviour change(Carlson A. et al. 2003; Winston F K et al. 2010; Thaler R & Sunstein C. 2008)

...in combination with education and exercise (Harrington, 2004; DeokJu Kim, 2015; Sigurdsson, 2011)

Addressing the Needs of the Worker

Slouch Alerts● Prompt posture correction● Identify poor ergonomics

Stretch Alerts● Prompt movement after

sustained postures● Specific exercises

Step Count● Monitor activity levels

Progress Tracking / Gamification● Monitor changes over time● Provide incentives / rewards● Team challenges

Addressing the Needs of the Employer

Reducing risk of MSD

● Workstation ergonomics● Sustained Postures

Creating a safe work environment

● Slip / trip / fall

Encouraging healthy behaviour

● Stretch alert● Step tracking

Maintaining worker engagement is key

● Team challenges

Addressing the Needs of the Employer

Monitoring progress and identifying trends

What about Privacy? No GPS location tracking

No health-specific data (HR, temp, stress response)

Data encryption

Option for the worker to de-identify

Where to Start? Start with a trial on yourself

Exploring links to myosh

Questions?

Contact:

scott.coleman@preventure.live

0407 114 429

(02) 8599 7116

https://preventure.live