Announcements

Any announcements will be posted here and many times also sent via email.

18 February 2022 - Announcement 01 - Welcome

18 February 2022 - Announcement 02 - Please note that the session scheduled for the 15 March is now being delivered on Wednesday 16 March and it will be 3 hour session. The following session on Tuesday 22 March will be of 1 hour. Please excuse us for any inconvenience caused by this change. For the 16 March session only use the separate link made available further down.

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Students' Evaluation Form

Students Privacy Notice

Online Sessions Link

To connect to the online sessions of this study programme please click on this link. You will be asked to register your attendance if you are not already signed in into your Zoom account. You will also be asked for the password which is below.

Meeting ID: 922 4605 3015

Passcode: 910929

Session 04 on Wednesday 16 March 2022 ONLY - Link

Meeting ID: 943 5254 1999

Passcode: 872088

Make sure that you show with your name & surname as you have been registered for the study programme. This is very important for attendance purposes.

Lecture Schedule & Notes

Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.

LectureDateTimePresentationNotes (If Any)
Lecture 0122 February 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 01
Lecture 0201 March 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 02
Lecture 0308 March 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 03
Lecture 0416 March 202217:30 to 20:30hrsSession 04
Lecture 0522 March 202217:30 to 18:30hrsSession 05
Lecture 0629 March 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 06
Lecture 0705 April 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 07
Lecture 0826 April 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 08
Lecture 0903 May 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 09
Lecture 1017 May 202217:30 to 19:30hrsSession 10

Lecturer/s  

Dr Carlo Conti

Mr Luke Camilleri

Ms Joanne Cardona

Mr Andre Muscat

Mr Darren Sillato

Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading 

Lecture 1 - Introduction: sitting and ergonomics - Dr Carlo Conti

Learning Outcomes

  • What defines sitting
  • The common practice of sitting throughout nature
  • Sitting – evolution of a behaviour
  • History of ergonomics
  • Chairs- design and function
  • Revolution without evolution
  • Sitting today – quality and quantity
  • Introduction to the workstation

Core Reading List

Supplementary Reading List

  • Vernikos, J. (2011) Sitting Kills, Moving Heals. Quill Driver Books; Fresno, California
  • Chaikin-Bentor, N. (2013) Correct Sitting Posture: how to sit while working, eating, driving, or talking.

 

Lecture 2 - The biology and physics of Sitting – basic concepts brought to mind - Mr Darren Sillato

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the idea of weight, leverage, stress and other forces on tissues;
  • Explain the physical principles of body tissues;
  • Explain the physical principles of environmental or social restrains on the body tissues;
  • Describe the benefits of movement changes and long term effects on tissues.
  • Apply mechanical principles to body segments and body tissues and evaluate postural control in sitting;
  • Analyse static and dynamic postural attitudes, vis-à-vis how these impact structures;
  • visually and subjectively measure what constitutes good sitting posture;
  • evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different working surfaces, seating arrangements and use of surroundings

Core Reading List

  • Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd Edition, Ch2 , R.S. Bridger , CRC PRESS

Supplementary Reading List

  • Norkin, C.C, (2005) Joint Structure and Function: a comprehensive analysis. Philadelphia, PA : F.A. Davis Co. 4th Ed

 

Lecture 3 - The Anatomy of Sitting - Mr Darren Sillato

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the basics of static vs dynamic movement, and the notion of movement without moving;
  • evaluate the physical properties of tissues and how time;
  • describe the principles of core musculature and postural maintenance;
  • evaluate the forces’ effect on tissue warping, compression stress, neural and blood supply ;
  • Impact of sitting time and importance of frequent short breaks
  • understand the notion of “volume of stress”-> time in a position x force x area of pressure
  • relate the mechanical principles of the human body and its segments to the forces acting on its structures
  • evaluate the time factor, and Identify the right amount of time that different postural situations can be maintained
  • Identify the type of structures are affected by long term sitting and movements associated with reduction of external forces,

Core Reading List

  • Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd Edition, Ch2 , R.S. Bridger , CRC PRESS ISBN-13: 978-0849373060
  • Harrison, D.D., Harrison, S.O., Croft, A.C., Harrison, D. E., Troyanovich, S. J. (1999) Sitting Biomechanics Part 1: Review of the Literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutic. Vol 22: 9

Supplementary Reading List

  • Norkin, C.C, (2005) Joint Structure and Function: a comprehensive analysis. Philadelphia, PA : F.A. Davis Co. 4th Ed

 

Lecture 4 - Pathologies from Sitting Part 1 - Ms Joanne Cardona - 3 hours lecture

Learning Outcomes

  • Gain awareness on what goes wrong within our musculoskeletal system with prolonged sitting
  • Understand the link between poor posture or poor ergonomics with common injuries related to the spine and hip.
  • Introduce and gain understanding of common repetitive strain injuries in the office.
  • How can the body heal itself from these injuries?
  • How can prolonged sitting effect balance and important systems in the body, such as the cardiovascular system.
  • Enable attendees to identify hazards and possible conditions arising from poor workstation ergonomics.
  • This lecture will identify various professionals who can assist particular conditions and when and to whom a referral can be done.

Core Reading List

  • Galbusera F., Wilke H.J. (2018) Biomechanics of the Spine: Basic Concepts, Spinal Disorders and Treatments.  First Edition. Academic Press.
  • Hertling D., Kessler R.M. (2006). Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principals and Management. 4th Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Supplementary Reading List

  • White A.A., Panjabi M.M. Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine. second ed. Phila- delphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1990.
  • European Risk Observatory (2019) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: prevalence, costs, and demographics in the EU. European Agency for Safety and Health at work.
  • Walker-Bone K., Coggon D. (2015) Occupation and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Volume 29, Issue 3, Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. Pages 343-524

 

Lecture 5 - Pathologies from Sitting Part 2 - Mr Andre Muscat - 1 hour lecture

Learning Outcomes

  • What are the most commonly occurring hazards in the workplace (office environment)
  • The impact of accidents at the workplace
  • The importance of taking remedial actions when becoming aware of a hazard
  • Basics on the common hazards of:
    • Slips, trips and falls
    • Manual handling
    • Electricity
    • Fire
    • Chemical handling
    • Hazards of remote/ home working

Core Reading List

 

Lecture 6 - The Psychology of Sitting - Dr Carlo Conti

Learning Outcomes

  • That a link exists between our posture and our mental state
  • A link exists between our mental state and our level of productivity
  • The posture adopted is greatly influenced by both task, chair and duration
  • The relationship between your posture and your physiology and autonomic arousal
  • The influence of the surrounding environment on our productivity, state of mind and posture
  • Bringing the best out of each individual

Core Reading List

  • Laborde, S., Strack, N., Mosley, E. (2019) The influence of power posing on cardiac vagal activity. Acta Psychologica. 199
  • Nair S, Sagar M, Sollers J 3rd, Consedine N, Broadbent E. Do slumped and upright postures affect stress responses? A randomized trial. Health Psychol. 2015 Jun;34(6):632-41. doi: 10.1037/hea0000146. Epub 2014 Sep 15. PMID: 25222091.
  • Muehlhan M, Marxen M, Landsiedel J, Malberg H, Zaunseder S. The effect of body posture on cognitive performance: a question of sleep quality. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014 Mar 27;8:171. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00171. PMID: 24723874; PMCID: PMC3973903.
  • Reed CL, Moody EJ, Mgrublian K, Assaad S, Schey A, McIntosh DN. Body Matters in Emotion: Restricted Body Movement and Posture Affect Expression and Recognition of Status-Related Emotions. Front Psychol. 2020 Aug 11;11:1961. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01961. PMID: 32849150; PMCID: PMC7432155.

Supplementary Reading List

  • Cuddy, Amy. Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2015.

 

Lecture 7 - Health and Safety - workstation, office, remote workstation - Mr Andre Muscat

Learning Outcomes

  • What are the most commonly occurring hazards in the workplace (office environment)
  • The impact of accidents at the workplace
  • The importance of taking remedial actions when becoming aware of a hazard
  • Basics on the common hazards of:
    • Slips, trips and falls
    • Manual handling
    • Electricity
    • Fire
    • Chemical handling
    • Hazards of remote/ home working

Core Reading List

 

Lecture 8 - Exercise at the Office for Office Workers - Mr Luke Camilleri

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand that exercise has a significant impact on the Production and Well-Being of the employees.
  • Some exercises can be carried out during working hours and some exercise can be carried out after work.
  • Understand that all exercises have different benefits.
  • Understand that some exercises can be used for prevention of injury, other exercises can be used for the recovery of an injury, and some exercises can be used for Productivity; such as light aerobic workouts which stimulates the athletes’ circulation of blood and enhances the performance of the session.
  • By understanding the difference in exercises one will be able to support the use of some exercise regimes even within the workplace.
  • Benefits of TheraBand exercises and stretches.
  • Benefits of maintaining good posture.

Core Reading List

Supplementary Reading List

Lecture 9 - Office Equipment and Peripherals - Dr Carlo Conti and Mr Darren Sillato

Learning Outcomes

  • List the main types of chairs, desks and peripherals used to make workstations more ergonomically sound
  • List some of the benefits of each ergonomic device in comparison to other devices
  • Link the benefits of some of the devices to requirements dictated by task, stature and pathology
  • Be able to comprehend the influence of different devices to certain common presentations
  • Be able to implement any recommendations made by an ergonomic specialist to address an employee’s complaint.
  • Apply learnt principles of human structures, movement and activities of daily living within the workplace
  • Analyse the muscle control and limiting factors involved in static and dynamic postural attitudes, in terms of defined movement terminology;
  • Design a safe desk workplace
  • Apply physical principles and basic human mechanics to Select appropriate apparatus according to work demands

Core Reading List

  • Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd Edition, Ch3+4 , R.S. Bridger , CRC PRESS ISBN-13: 978-0849373060

 

Lecture 10 - Setting up a workstation - Dr Carlo Conti

Learning Outcomes

  • Get an understanding of the three pronged approach to an ideal workstation setting i.e TASK, PERSON , EQUIPMENT
  • The changes and requirements imposed by working in house or remote working
  • An understanding of balancing both well-being and productivity
  • The rules of thumb that apply to the uniqueness of every workstation
  • An understanding of the fact that setting up a bespoke workstation is a multi-step process that requires refining and adaptation.
  • The ability to verbalise problems and convey them to an ergonomic specialist so that feedback can be adequately given.

Assessment

For your assignment, you have to address a situation involving ergonomics at the place of work, which will be made available in the Assignment Submission form below. Assignment should be submitted by not later than Friday 24 June 2022. Assignment has to be submitted together with the Assignment Submission Form. The assignment will carry 100% of the final score.

Assignment Submission Form

If you need information on how to plan, draft and submit your assignment follow the 21 Academy presentation on Writing and Submitting your Assignment.

We are also making the 21 Academy's Assignments Rubric available for your guidance. This is a performance-based assessment tool. Tutors will use the rubric to assist them to allocate scoring while it allows students to understand what is required in the assignment and how it will be graded.

Assignment should be sent accompanied by the respective assignment submission form on info@advisory21.com.mt. Please send assignments in pdf format. Do not scan assignment but convert/save it directly to pdf.

Note that the submitted assignment will be scanned for plagiarism. Before submitting your assignments please check your assignment/s for plagiarism using the following free online plagiarism checker - https://www.paperpass.net - which also provides a detailed report and also indicates the sentences in your assignment which are showing as copied and pasted. Such sentences should be paraphrased. A copy of that report should be sent together with your assignment.

We ask you to keep the similarity percentage very low and definitely below 20%. You should  review and rephrase any assignments which show more than 20% similarity.

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