With increasing size of agricultural machinery and tractors, there is also a rising risk of injury when working at height. The work focuses on the risk of injuries to the lower limb joints when exiting tractors and agricultural machinery, specifically when jumping from a certain height. The lower limb joints act like springs to absorb the impact forces from greater heights, with the smallest forces sustained during landing affecting the hip, the knees beeing slightly more exposed, and the ankles being the most impacted as they bear the greatest force.. The task outlines the parameters that influence the force during a jump from height. In the experiment, the landing forces of ten individuals, weighing between 57 kg and 104 kg, were measured from three different heights (49 cm, 75 cm, and 91 cm). The measured forces (the highest recorded was 6862 N) were, in all cases, lower than those identified in the literature as dangerous for stress injuries, but they may still present a risk for long-term or chronic joint conditions. For the average body weight of the subjects (80.2 kg), the average landing force from a height of 0.49 m was 3698 N, with a 95% confidence interval (3571 N, 3825 N). With an increase in weight, the force at 95% confidence increases by 38.6 N to 55.8 N per kilogram. For a jump from 0.75 m, the average force at the average weight was 4350 N, increasing by 50.5 N to 67.8 N per kilogram at 95% confidence. For a jump from 0.91 m, the average force was 5138 N, with an increase of 61.4 N to 78.7 N per kilogram at 95% confidence. Besides weight and height, the mechanics of the jump significantly impacts the force upon landing. By bending the knees and ankles, the jump is cushioned, reducing the force exerted.
|