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Mental stress and trapezius muscle activation under psychomotor challenge: A focus on EMG gaps during computer work
Author(s) -
Schleifer Lawrence M.,
Spalding Thomas W.,
Kerick Scott E.,
Cram Jeffrey R.,
Ley Ronald,
Hatfield Bradley D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2008.00645.x
Subject(s) - workload , psychology , electromyography , hyperventilation , trapezius muscle , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychomotor learning , cognition , medicine , neuroscience , psychiatry , computer science , operating system
Momentary reductions in the electrical activity of working muscles (EMG gaps) contribute to the explanation for the relationship between psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal problems in computer work. EMG activity and gaps in the left and right trapezii were monitored in 23 participants under low and high mental workload (LMW and HMW) demands during computer data entry. Increases in EMG activity and decreases in EMG‐gap frequencies in both left and right trapezius muscles were greater during HMW than LMW. In addition, heart period and end‐tidal CO 2 were lower during HMW, whereas self‐reported mood states were higher during HMW. The correspondence between lower end‐tidal CO 2 and lower EMG‐gap frequencies suggests that hyperventilation (overbreathing) may mediate trapezius muscle activation. The reduction of EMG gaps suggests that the salutary benefits of momentary rest from musculoskeletal work are diminished during mental stress.