An Analysis of Biomechanical Parameters in OTP Police Physical Intervention Techniques for Occupational Risk Prevention

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 28;19(11):6615. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116615.

Abstract

(1) Background: a set of ergonomic parameters that are relevant for risk assessment methods for the prevention of occupational risks, such as REBA or NIOSH, have been measured by means of inertial sensors that allow capturing the movements of the human body. These methods base their assessment on a number of postural and dynamic parameters. In the case of police physical intervention techniques, trunk, legs, arms, forearms and wrists angles, joint contact force and sheer force at the L5-Pelvic junction, asymmetry (angle and factor), and muscle power are the more relevant parameters to be considered. (2) Method: The data have been collected by means of a motion capture suit equipped with 19 inertial sensors. The large amount of data and the 3-dimensional plots have been managed by a powerful software package specific for ergonomic analysis. The police physical intervention technique used was OTP. (3) Results: Five ergonomic parameters in a traditional police physical intervention technique have been analyzed. REBA scores and ergonomic metrics have been recorded and discussed with some prevention risk limits from the literature. (4) Conclusions: the usage of inertial sensors to capture the movements in OTPs provides a new and quite an efficient viewpoint for occupational risk research studies.

Keywords: ergonomic; motion capture technology; occupational risk prevention; operational tactical procedure; police physical intervention; use of force.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ergonomics* / methods
  • Humans
  • Movement
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.
  • Police*
  • Torso
  • United States

Grants and funding

R&D PROJECT DER 2012-35997-C03-03 “Study of police defense materials and possible improvements” financed by the Secretary of State for research, development, and innovation of MINECO.