A Mathematical Model of Achilles Tendon Overload During Jump Shot.

INTRODUCTION: Achilles tendon injuries usually occur with abrupt movements at the level of the ankle and foot, and the consequence is the overload of the Achilles tendon. AIM: Examine the Achilles tendon load as a function of the landing angle, and find the critical point at which the tendon overload begins and when a further increase in the landing angle can lead to rupture. METHODS: The study has a prospective character. The input data represent the anthropometric values of the respondents, who are professional basketball players in the senior national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina and were processed in the CATIA v5-6 software solution. Software data processing analyzed the landing angles and the transfer of force to the Achilles tendon. The end result is a regression curve, which projects the angle at which the Achilles tendon is overloaded, and indicates an increased risk of possible injury to the tendon itself. RESULTS: The onset of overloading starts at an angle of 32.28° and at an angle of 35.75° the overloaded load occurs, indicating the need for the subject to change the position of the foot to prevent damage to the tendon itself. CONCLUSION: An angle of 35.75° is the critical point at which the Achilles tendons are overloaded at the very landing. Prevention of injury should go in the direction of practicing the feet for a particular position at the time of the landing, and in the direction to develop adequate footwear that would mitigate the angle at the landing.

Noise Effect on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate - Regression Analysis in Service of Prediction.

INTRODUCTION: Investigations have shown that noise is one of the etiologic factors that leads to a risk of cardiovascular incidence. AIM: To present effect of noise on arterial tension and heart rate of workers who work on machine press during period of three-years. METHODS: The study had a prospective character and included 30 subjects (n = 30) who were monitored over a three-year period (36 months). The respondents worked at the factory "Cimos" on machine press (Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Ten machine presses were monitored, and three workers worked on each press. Approximately every worker was affected by a wide range of noise between 65 and 110 dB in the workplace (via isohypse). MATLAB (version 9.4, MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts, United States of America (USA)) software was used to estimate the possible damage caused by noise in factories that produce noise in their work. RESULTS: During the three-year period, arterial tension in the subjects increased, and at the end of the observed period, they were considered as patients with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension grade I. The tension depends on the strength of the produced noise, and the values also depend on position of the respondent on the machine press. CONCLUSION: Noise prevention has become a problem of modern medicine. The result of our work allows estimation of arterial hypertension in specified time in case of exposure to a certain strength of noise. Prevention of noise, daytime noise prevention as well as better equipment for work and preventive equipment are imposed as imperative in such or similar conditions, with the need of development of national strategies for this issue in countries where they are not present.

Redesign of Work Space in Order to Reduce Noise Health Effects.

INTRODUCTION: Noise represent an unwanted sound that endangers human health in multiple manners and in work setting causes reduction of productivity on one side, and increased waste on the other. Noise pollution occurs when the ear is exposed to the volume of sound that is disturbing, stressful or directly damaging hearing, but also acting on the organism as a whole. AIM: The aim of the article is to examine the vulnerability of workers working on the "press" machine, and to carry out an analysis and examine the press operator workplace, then perform the noise spread measurement in the press operator work area and compare the current measurements with the permissible levels and analyze the time period of worker exposure, as well as presentation of the effects of noise on productivity and workers health. The aim of the article also includes the proposal for decrease of noise pollution. METHODS: A noise analysis at the workplace of workers working on a "press" machine was performed, which is exposed to a high impulse noise due to which the quality and quantity of production are reduced. For the purpose of calculating the noise level for one working day at the press operator site 1, 2 and 3, it is necessary to analyze the noise level in time. Operators spend most of their working hours at stations 1 and 3 where the measured noise level is Lm1 = 94.7 dB is taken, or at position 3, Lm3 = 97.2 dB. The measured noise level at these locations without the operation of the press is Lm1 = 80.1 dB, or at station 3 is Lm3 = 80.1 dB. RESULTS: It was found that these operators working on the machine in question were exposed to a noise over the limit for more than three years. Their health problems that arise as a result of noise exposure are documented in their health charts. In order to achieve uninterrupted work at the press machine, during the eight hours shift, a noise correction is required to allow the equivalent sound level to fall within one day to the permissible 85 dB. In this regard, we consider the fact that we have known that the press produces a sound level of 110 dB, and that there is a reverberation (reflecting) sound. Given the technical characteristics of the plant, the reduction of the sound intensity of the source itself is not possible, so the suggestions of the technical solution will be based on reduced reflected sounds and to prevent the spread of direct sound to the operator. CONCLUSION: Workers are exposed to permanent noise during a working day, which produces a number of consequences for the health of the worker, but also the employer and the community. The imperative of the employer is to reduce the number of rejects, increase profitability and to have a positive impact on the health of the individual.