ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM OPTIMIZATION
For a project in Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering, a partner and I observed the MSU Athletic Training Room, which aims to provide the best possible health care to athletes. I was responsible for creating data charts, writing the final report, and utilizing my engineering background as my partner was a Kinesiology major. I identified engineering principles and tools that could be implemented to improve the safety of workers and patients, the usability of equipment, and optimization of processes to be more efficient.
Methodology
After observing the training room over the course of a month, I constructed Pareto charts to identify the most common injuries and equipment to focus on. The goal was to use these charts to focus our efforts on the key areas to improve.
Observations
Our observations found that the most common injuries involved sprains, bruising, or tears in tendons and ligaments, and the most common equipment and procedures used to treat those injuries were pre-wrap/athletic tape and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).
The data supported a conclusion that the two areas of focus were:
1) The client and trainers spent extended periods of time bending over taping ankles
2) When using the IASTM or E-stim, the client spent most of their time sitting or standing at tables.
From this, we focused on how the area could be best reorganized and/or improved to be more physically suitable for the trainers.
Proposal
The final solution proposed the use of the adjustable tables and chairs. We concluded this was the most effective way to improve operations in the training room for both the trainer and athletes, with safety and comfort being primary ergonomic concerns.
The trainers could use more ergonomic chairs to provide better support, instead of bending over while standing.
The training room only had one adjustable table. Purchasing more to replace old tables would benefit athletes and trainers alike.
