The proportion of strenuous work postures decreased
in the three work phases studied during the 3-week
period. Simultaneous bent and twisted back postures,
which were considered the most strenuous, decreased
from 34 to 4% (Table 2). Similarly, postures with one arm or both arms at or above the shoulder level were
reduced to about a half. Also, sitting and kneeling
postures in milking increased, and the subjects began to
use milking chairs and knee protectors while milking.
Rechecking after the 6-month period confirmed that
the new work techniques had been adopted.
In all the five most typical work posture combinations
(Figure 3) before the course, the back was bent or bent
and twisted. After the course and in the B-month
follow-up the subjects most often worked with the back
straight. Before the course the work posture combinations
belonging to action categories 3 and 4 were most
typical in milking (Figure 4). After the course the
proportion of work posture combinations belonging to
action category 4 was diminished in all three work
phases, and the changes were still seen after 6 months.