STUDY OF ERGONOMIC RISKS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM OF STUDENTS

Abstract

The article examines ergonomic risks in the educational and everyday activities of schoolchildren under conditions of increasing static loads and the widespread use of non-physiological working postures. The relevance of the study is determined by intensive morphofunctional changes in the musculoskeletal system during adolescence – a critical period for the formation of movement patterns that influence health status in later life. Prolonged sitting, active use of digital devices, and the performance of household physical tasks contribute to the accumulation of unfavorable biomechanical loads and increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders among students. To assess the biomechanical characteristics of working postures and movements, video analysis using computer vision algorithms in combination with the international REBA method was applied. This approach ensured objective determination of joint angles, trunk inclinations, rotational movements, and asymmetries during the performance of typical motor activities. As a result, a predominance of excessive trunk flexion exceeding physiological limits, nonphysiological head positions, and torsional movements of the torso under load was identified. According to the REBA methodology, the identified movement patterns correspond to a high level of ergonomic hazard. The identified biomechanical deviations are associated with increased loading of the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine and may contribute to the development of muscle overstrain, functional disorders, and clinical manifestations of the musculoskeletal system. The obtained results emphasize the feasibility of early identification of ergonomic risks and the implementation of preventive measures aimed at correcting movement patterns, forming neutral postures, and reducing excessive biomechanical loading.