2018 FALL INEN 5376 OCCUPATIONAL

ERGONOMICS

COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT

TYPES OF HARNESS TO CARRY BABIES

Guided by GROUP 8
Dr. Yueqing Li Supinder Singh Sidhu (L20447852)
Navjot Mahal (L20424803)
Opoku Samuel Obeng (L20440651)
Syed Meesum Haider (L20470202)
Abstract: -

Harnesses are used for different types of works to carry weights while the weight is
distributed on the whole body rather than a single body part. The goal of this study is to find
the effect of harness on human body while carrying babies.

We used two different types of harnesses. One harness is like a backpack in which baby can
be placed in the front or in the back. For our experiment we put the baby in the front facing
the participant. Other one is sling in which baby is placed in front and babies’ weight is
evenly distributed on the sling. Sling is mainly used in Asian countries from many years. It is
mainly used for newborns or by the women while working in the fields.

For this study we conduct experiment on 10 participants and conducted discomfort survey
before and after the experiment. Two types of different harnesses are used to carry the
experiment and participants were given some simple tasks to do while carrying the
experiment. A 17lb (average weight of 6-month-old) baby (doll with added weight) is used to
put in the harness. And after the experiment they were told to do the discomfort survey.

In our experiment we found that backpack harness is easier to use as it put less stress on
body as weight is distributed on both the shoulders. But it is not safe for new-born babies as
they can suffocate or fall from the harness. For sling it put more stress on the body but is
safer for new-born as they are in lying position In, the sling and has much contact with the as
a result weight is evenly distributed and symmetrically.
Introduction: -

Almost everyone loves babies and want to hold them despite of their light weight a person
can hold baby for some duration of time. After that we start feeling pain in our back, arms,
neck. In today’s world there are various convenient ways too hold babies with less stresses on
the body. There are various types of harnesses available in the market which reduce affect on
the body and we can carry babies for longer duration.

We need to carry babies from the day were born until they start waling almost until 3 years.
Average weight of new born is 5 lb. 8 ounces which increases to 32 lb. As the child gets old it
is difficult to carry them for longer duration. Also, for new moms due to the procedure or
operation it is difficult for them to carry baby for longer duration.

Harness use greatly decrease stresses on the body. We can carry child for longer duration like
when they are crying or while feeding them. Also, while walking or doing work we can carry
them for longer duration. Even the old persons like grand parents can carry the babies easily
with the help of harness

The child is in front of the person who wears them. The baby weight is distributed evenly and
symmetrically. If the child is in harness it is safer than carrying child in arms. If we are
carrying the child they cry less.

We found many examples in ergonomics in which we can study about effect on body while
carrying backpack and their effects on the body. That how it is east to carry loads while the
load is evenly distributed on the body rather than just with the help of arms.
Literature Review: -

Carrying backpacks more than 3.5 kg in 16 min increased the kyphoses angle (P=0.048).
Moreover, the results showed that carrying backpacks with any weight significantly increased
lumbar lordoses angles. However, no significant difference was observed in changes of
forward head posture among the three groups. Carrying heavy backpacks can increase
kyphoses in girls. So, they should avoid carrying backpacks 6% heavier than their weight for
more than 16 minutes. (Sanaz, Hasan , & Nader, 2018)

More and more people use baby slings and wraps instead of wheelchairs. The child is in front
of the person who wears them. The baby weight is distributed evenly and symmetrically.
Carrying a baby in a sling is safe, doesn’t damage a locomotor system if the binding in a sling
is good. Carrying a baby in a sling helps in treatment hip dysplasia and has a good outflow on
the hip joints in infants. (Maria , Jakub , & Agata , 2017)

Its leading principle is utmost sensitivity to the child's innate emotional and physical needs,
resulting in extended breastfeeding on demand, extensive infant carrying on the caregiver's
body, and cosleeping of infant and parents. The described practices prevailed during the
evolutionary history of the human species and reflect the natural, innate rearing style of the
human species to which the human infant has biologically adapted over the course of
evolution. (Regine & Maarit , 2007)

Recommendations on backpack loading advice restricting the load to 10% of body weight
and carrying the load high on the spine. The effects of increasing load (0%-5%-10%-15% of
body weight) and changing the placement of the load on the spine, thoracic vs. lumbar
placement, during standing and gait were analyzed in 20 college-aged students by studying
physiological, biomechanical and subjective data. Significant changes were: (1) increased
thorax flexion; (2) reduced activity of M. erector spinae vs. increased activation of
abdominals; (3) increased heart rate and Borg scores for the heaviest loads. A trend towards
increased spinal flexion, reduced pelvic anteversion and rectus abdominis muscle activity was
observed for the lumbar placement. The subjective scores indicate a preference for the lumbar
placement. These findings suggest that carrying loads of 10% of body weight and above
should be avoided, since these loads induce significant changes in electromyography,
kinematics and subjective scores. (Devroey, Jonkers, De Becker, & Lenaerts, 2007)

Load carriage has been associated with a risk of upper and lower limb musculoskeletal
disorders with women suffering significantly higher injury rates than their male counterparts.
Despite this injury risk, there are limited evidence-based guidelines for recreational hikers,
particularly female recreational hikers, regarding safe backpack loads. The purpose of the
present study was to determine how variations in load mass affected the heart rate, posture
and subjective responses of women during prolonged walking to provide evidence for a load
mass limit for female recreational hikers. (Simpson , Munro, & Steele , 2011)
A search of electronic databases was performed for studies that only investigated posteriorly-
borne backpack carriage during level-grade walking (treadmill and over ground).
Methodology of studies was assessed, and both meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis were
completed. Fifty-four studies were included in this review. In summary, the available
literature showed that backpack carriage in walking was associated with an increased trunk
flexion angle, increased hip and ankle range of motion, increased vertical and horizontal
ground reaction force, increased cadence, and reduced stride length. Several variations in
backpack carriage protocols could explain between-study variations in results, including:
walking speed, backpack carriage skill level, the use of a hip belt, and posterior displacement
of the load away from the trunk. The findings of this systematic review will inform backpack
carriage practices in the area of injury risk assessment and physical performance
enhancement. (Liews, Morris, & Netto, 2016)
Methodology: -

We are going to compare between two different types of harnesses used to carry children. In
this we are going to put a doll instead of the baby which is going weight 17lb, we are going to
add additional weight to the doll and we are going to walk for 10-12 mins which is average
time for feeding a baby.

Task: -

You have to put the harness on your body and then put doll in that which is going to weight
17 lb. (with added weight) And then you have to walk for 10 mins while performing some
simple task like bending down and picking up stuff from ground at time interval of 3,6,9 min
and put it back and you have to pick a file 5 times from a table at time interval of 1,2,5,7,8
min. while carrying the baby.

Also, you cannot use hands while participating in the experiment to hold the baby other than
while bending down.
Harness like a backpack: -

This harness is like a backpack but we can put the child in front. As you can see in the picture
it is safe for baby as it cannot move or fall from the harness.

For the experiment one participant is going to wear the harness like a backpack in front
position we are going to put a doll with total weight of 20 lbs. and we going to adjust the
harness according to the doll’s length and the height of the participant. And then the
participant is going to start walking slowly as he is carrying a baby. The harness is pretty
adjustable. We are also going to measure the participants weight, height for our results.
Baby sling: -

In this type of harness baby lays down like he is in lap, his weight is well distributed. For this
experiment we are going to put the harness on the participant and then we are going to put the
doll in the harness weighing 20lbs and the participant is going to walk for 10-15 mins

Independent Variables: - Two different types of harnesses.

Dependent Variables: -Shoulder , Lower Back

 Results: -

To measure the results of our experiment from our participants we used discomfort survey. In
our experiment we used 10 participant all males with age group from 21-27 years with a
height of 155 to 185 cm. None of them had any injury in last six months. 4 participants had
previous experience in using the harness.

Of all the participants 8 participants prefers backpack over sing. As the weight is evenly
distributed on both the shoulders. And the baby is also safe in the backpack as compare to
sling. While using sling participants used hands to hold the baby several times but while
using harness, they used hands while bending down only. Although 2 participants preferred
sling they told us that they have used sling in their experience and it was easy for them as
they were familiar with it.

For Sling

Before The experiment After The experiment

Upper Lower Upper Lower

Participant Shoulder Neck Back Back Shoulder Neck Back Back

1 6 7 4 8

2 3 3 8 4 6

3 5 6 2 6

4 4 6 3 6

5 3 5 7 6 8

6 5 4 2 4

7 4 5 2 4

8 2 5 7 4 8
9 3 8 4 4 5
10 6 4 3 7
Average 5.1 5.8 3.4 6.2

No Pain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Severe Pain

 For Backpack

Before The experiment After The experiment

Upper Lower Upper Lower

Participant Shoulder Neck Back Back Shoulder Neck Back Back

1 3 6 2 3 6

2 2 4 4 3 5

3 5 5 7

4 4 2 2 5

5 4 3 4 5

6 5 6 8

7 5 4 3 6

8 2 5 2 4 6

9 2 5 1 3 4

10 4 2 4

Average 4.7 1.8 3.5 5.6

For backpack average pain for 10 participants on shoulder is 4.7, neck 1.8, upper back 3.5
and lower back 5.6.

For sling average pain level for 10 participants on shoulder is 5.1, neck 5.8, upper back 3.4,
lower back 6.2.

So from the above data we gathered from our research we conclude that harness like
backpack is better than the traditional sling.

Discussion & Conclusion: -

Although both the harnesses have same framework, we should know that they are different
from each other. Sling has effect on one shoulder, neck and back whereas on back pack
harness the effect is on just shoulder and back. In case of backpack weight is more evenly
divided on both the shoulder and as more area of contact we feel less stressed while using
backpack. Looking at the two designs backpack harness is more superior than sling. Also, the
baby is safer in backpack however for new-borns slings is safer as they lie down in the sling
whereas in backpack, they are in sitting position. So, it is safe to say that backpack is better
for babies that are 3 months old, also in backpack there is warning that if the harness is too
tight for small babies it can suffocate them. But for babies that are more than 3 months old
backpack harness is better as it is easier to carry baby in that harness.

After our study we conclude that backpack harness is better for babies that are more than 3
months old, where as for new-borns sling is better. In our experiment we found that backpack
harness is easier to use as it put less stress on body as weight is distributed on both the
shoulders. But it is not safe for new-born babies as they can suffocate or fall from the
harness. For sling it put more stress on the body but is safer for new-born as they are in lying
position In, the sling and has much contact with the as a result weight is evenly distributed
and symmetrically.

References
Devroey, C., Jonkers, I., De Becker, A., & Lenaerts, G. (2007). Evaluation of the effect of backpack
load and position during standing and walking using biomechanical, physiological and
subjective measures. Ergonomics., 728-742.

Liews, B., Morris, S., & Netto, K. (2016). The Effect of Backpack Carriage on the Biomechanics of
Walking: A Systematic Review and Preliminary Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied
Biomechanics, 614-629.

Maria , D., Jakub , L., & Agata , U. (2017). The effect of carrying a child in a baby sling on the
movement system. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, Vol 7, 1657-1664.

Regine, A., & Maarit , S. (2007). Natural Parenting — Back to Basics in Infant Care. Volume: 5.

Sanaz, Z.-S., Hasan , D., & Nader, R. (2018). The effect of weight and duration of carrying backpack
on forward head, kyphoses and lordoses in 14-18 year-old girls. LCC:Medicine (General), 94-
102.

Simpson , K., Munro, B., & Steele , J. (2011). Effect of load mass on posture, heart rate and subjective
responses of recreational female hikers to prolonged load carriage. Applied Egronomics.