Research suggests that interventional radiologists are at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders and this increase has been linked with the use of radiation personal protective equipment (rPPE) (i.e. lead or light-lead lined vests and aprons). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rPPE on the rate of development of fatigue of the erector spinae (lumbar, lower thoracic, upper thoracic) and trapezius muscles. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to capture muscle activity, and the downward shift of the median frequency of these EMG data were used to assess the level of muscular fatigue. Sixteen participants performed a simulated surgical procedure requiring a 30˚ flexed static trunk posture in three bouts of five minutes; with a one-minute break interspersed in between bouts. When compared with baseline, the rPPE condition demonstrated significantly greater muscle fatigue of the right trapezius, left lumbar erector spinae and left lower thoracic erector spinae when using rPPE, results that are consistent with the asymmetry of the simulated task.
