A wearable device to assist the evaluation of workers health based on inertial and sEMG signals

This paper describes a wearable monitoring sys-tem for sEMG and coherent motion data signals that is primarily aimed at real-time tracking of workers' activity for the analysis and prevention of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). The device supports the data recording, real-time streaming, and analysis of up to four 9-axis inertial units and up to 8 independent single-ended surface Electromyography (sEMG) signals. The device has been developed to acquire, elaborate and integrate information related to the arm motion and forces with a minimal encumbrance on the operator's arm. The paper discusses the design of the device and presents a validation of the measuring capabilities of the system.