The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slump sitting postures on the masticatory, neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Eleven healthy adults (age, 23.3±2.7 yrs; height, 174.0±4.1 ㎝; weight, 61.4±6.6 ㎏) participated in this study. The participants were free of injury history and neurologic deficits in the masticatory, neck muscles and upper extremities at the time of participation. The subjects were asked to perform erect and slump sitting postures under the guidance of physical therapists. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the anterior temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, gluteus maximus muscles of 11 adults as they performed visual terminal display work, which are known as the weakened and tightened muscles owing to WRMD. The recorded signals were averaged and normalized to the mean amplitude of the EMG signal obtained during submaximal reference voluntary contractions. The results of study were as follows: The masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique muscles significantly differed in the slump sitting posture (p<.05). The muscle activities of the serratus anterior, middle trapezius muscle, and external abdominal oblique were significantly lower and that of the masseter, upper trapezius, L3 paraspinal muscles were significantly higher. Further research is needed to assess the motor control problems and the function of the deep muscles in posture stability of patients with WRMD.

• Won-gyu Yoo(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Chung-hwi Yi(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University) Corresponding author
• Han-sung Kim(Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Research Institute for Medical Instruments & Rehabilitation Engineering, Yonsei University)
• Min-hee Kim(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Seong-shik Myeong(Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Hyun-ho Choi(Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)