BODY POSTURE ANALYSIS ON A BREASTFEEDING

MOTHER WITH RULA AND ANTHROPOMETRY METHOD

Wihdah Safitri, Lutfi Farizantsai, Ghiffari Nugraha, Syifan Ikhtiardi
Industrial Engineering Program Study, Faculty of Industrial Engineering , Universitas Islam Indonesia, Jl. Kaliurang
KM 14,5 Sleman Yogyakarta
Abstract
At the beginning, chairs generally have the same size and structure that does not apply ergonomist
principle. This often cause discomfort especially on the spine, waist, and neck due to overusing it. However, as the
science develops, chairs designed by the ergonomist principle have considerably emerged. This research intends to
develop ergonomic chair for breastfeeding mothers and also to find out how incorrect a breastfeeding mothers
posture is that it causes injury and how to treat it. Based on this research, score 6 RULA has been obtained which
means body posture at moderate risk and immediate treatment is needed. Based on anthropometry calculation,
sitting shoulder height (TBD) of 57,32cm, upper shoulder width (LBA) of 33,995cm, popliteal height (TPO) of
42,02cm, popliteal buttock (PPO) of 47,22cm, hip width (LP) of 455,76cm, and upper length arm (PLA) of 34,37cm
are obtained.
Keywords: Ergonomic, Breastfeeding chair, Breastfeeding mother, RULA, Anthropometry.
Abstrak
Pada awalnya, kursi pada umunya memiliki struktur dan ukuran yang sama yaitu tidak memiliki prinsip
ergonomis yang sering menyebabkan rasa tidak nyaman pada penggunanya, sehingga menimbulkan pegal-pegal
pada punggung, pinggang, serta leher akibat terlalu lama menggunakan kursi tersebut. Tetapi, seiring
berkembangnya ilmu dan jaman banyak bermunculan perancangan kursi dengan menggunakan prinsip ergonomis.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan kursi ergonomis untuk ibu menyusui serta mengetahui seberapa
besar kesalahan postur pada ibu menyusui sehingga menimbulkan cidera dan bagaimana cara penanganannya.
Berdasarkan penelitian ini, didapati skor RULA sebesar 6 yang berarti postur tubuh beresiko sedang, dan
membutuhkan penanganan segera. Berdasarkan perhitungan antropometri didapatkan skor Tinggi Bahu Duduk
(TBD) sebesar 57,32cm. Lebar Bahu Atas (LBA) sebesar 33,995cm. Tinggi Popletias (TPO) sebesar 42,02cm.
Pantat Popliteas (PPO) sebesar 47,22cm. Lebar Pinggul (LP) sebesar 45,76cm. Serta Lengan Panjang Atas (PLA)
sebesar 34,37.
Kata kunci : Ergonomis, Kursi Menyusui, Ibu Menyusui, RULA, Antropometri.
1.

INTRODUCTION

Breastfeeding is a feeding a baby directly from mothers breast and this is a natural process. Breastfeeding is done as
long as the baby wants it, on the average it takes 15 to 20 minutes in some early weeks (Fredregill, 2010). Yet,
breastfeeding mothers frequently do not understand, even often get the wrong information about the benefit of
exclusive breast milk, how to breastfeed, or the right method of breastfeeding and the lack of information about the
effect if breast milk was not given and what to do if they meet difficulties while exclusively breastfeed their baby
(Utamu Roesli, 2000)
There are 3 positions in breastfeeding; sitting, lying down, and football holding. In addition, below are the
indications that breastfeeding is done correctly:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Babys head and body are aligned

Babys face has to be in front of the nipple
Mother has to hold the babys body close to hers
For newborn baby, mother has to hold its whole body, not only the head and shoulder (Dr. Suparyanto,
2012).

Most chairs in the market do not apply ergonomics principle and not suitable with users body posture because
there is no measurement on users body size. This can cause pain for the waist, hip, neck, even cause injury.
There are many studies on ergonomics chair design, but only a few of them study about ergonomics chair for
breastfeeding mother in order to decrease mothers pain and consider babys comfort (Iqbal, 2013).
Based on the issues above, the researchers aim to find out how incorrect a mothers posture is while
breastfeeding and fix the position of breastfeeding mother to minimalize pain, weariness, and injury, also to
give new ergonomic chair recommendation using RULA and anthropometry method. This way, the mother and
baby are expected to feel safe and comfortable when breastfeeding.
2.

Research Method
2.1. Collecting Data Method
In this study, the researchers use direct observation method. While the data used in this study is a primary data,
a data directly obtained from the source (without mediator).
In this case, the researchers directly observe the objects located in Mendut sub-district, Mungkid,
Magelang, Central Java. The observation is done upon a breastfeeding mother for RULA method and uses data
bank of breastfeeding mother for anthropometry data. The following is data acquaired from the object:
Tabel 1. Operator Data

2.2. Data Processing Method

Researchers observe by taking videos and pictures from the observed operator with digital camera. From
the video, researchers determine which body postures will be observed, then researchers determine its angle.
After that, the researchers observe the possibility of injuries caused by posture error when breastfeeding
using RULA method. After RULA score is obtained, researchers recommend usable aid that might decrease the
injury possibility, and provide comfort to operator while breastfeeding. The aid was ergonomic chair for
breastfeeding mother recommended by researchers who designed it with body dimension and human
anthropometry measurement.
2.3. Population and Sample
Population is a generalization which consists of; object/subject that has quantities and certain characteristic set
by researcher for observation, then concluded (Sugiyono,2003:55). The population in this study is breastfeeding
mother.
Whereas sample is a part of the population that will be observed and considered to represent the
characteristic of population (Fraenkel, 1990:84). Sample of this study is a breastfeeding mother.
3.

Result and Discussion

3.1. NBM and RULA Quetionnaires Analysis
Nordic Body Map is a subjective measuring instrument in the form of questionnaire. It is used to find out
muscle part that feels painful by choosing A (painless), B (moderate pain), C (painful), D (very painful)
(Corlett, 1992). This questionnaire use the picture of a human body divided into 9 main parts that are neck,
shoulder, upper back, elbow, lower back, waist, knee, and heel. In this observation, the operator feels weary
while breastfeeding for a long duration on neck, back, and arms. The following table is a Nordic body map from
operator.
Tabel 2. Nordic Body Map

No
.

Location

Pain Level
A

Upper Neck

Lower Neck

Left Shoulder

Right Shoulder

Upper Left Arm

Brisket

Upper Right Arm

Waist

Buttocks

Lower Buttocks

10

Left Elbow

11

Right Elbow

12

Lower Left Arm

13

Lower Right Arm

14

Left Wrist

15
16

Right Wrist
Left Hand

0
3

3
0

0
0

0
0

17

Right Hand

18

Left Thigh

19

Right Thigh

20

Left Knee

21

Right Knee

22

Left Calf

23

Right Calf

24

Left Ankle

25

Right Ankle

26

Left Foot

27

Right Foot

Rapid Upper Limb Assesment (RULA) is a developed method in ergonomic field that investigates and
assesses the work position by upper part of body. This method is used to assess the score of work posture from
posture sample of a one work cycle that is considered dangerous for the doers health. From the assessment, the
appropriateness of work posture based on ergonomic principals will be revealed. If it is not appropriate yet, there
will be further steps will be done.
Tabel 3. Risk Level Assessment of RULA
Skor
RULA

Risk Level

12

Ignored risk, doesnt require

34
56

treatment
Low risk, the change is needed
Average risk, further treatment is

6+

needed immediately
High risk, Requires immediate
change

The RULA calculation that done by the researchers results the RULA score in the amount of 6 which
means the risk of breastfeeding mothers is on the average risk level that needs immediate response. The posture of
breastfeeding mother is shown as follow:
Picturer 1. Operator Body Posture

3.2 Analysis of Anthropometry Data Tabulation

Anthropometry derives from the Latin words Anthropos which means human and metron which means
measurement. Therefore, the term anthropometry means human body measurement (Bridger, 1995). Anthropometry
data is used as the basis for ergonomist to design an object in order to produce the suitability between the object and
the design. The body dimension and anthropometry data of breastfeeding mother is needed to reduce the injury
possibility and also to make mother feels comfortable while breastfeeding.
Tabel 4. Body Dimensions For Products
NO
1

Antropometry

Product

Dimension

Dimension

Sitting Shoulder
Height (TBD)

Length of Chairs
Back

NO
2

Antropometry

Product

Dimension

Dimension

Upper Shoulder

Width of Chairs

Width (LBA)

Back

Popliteas Height
3

(TPO)

Length of Feet

Popliteas Buttock

Support
Lentgh of Chairs
Base

Waist Width

Width of Chairs
Base

Length of Upper

Height of Arm

Arm (PLA)

Chairs Crutch

Tabel 4. Anthropometry Dimensions

TBD

LBA

TPO

PPO

LP

PLA

59

26

37

49

32

28

52

26

36

42,5

33

34,5

53
55,9

31
33,7

41
43

46
44,6

34
38,1

31
27

55

39,5

38,2

41

31,5

31,2

56

26

41

45

34

30

49
60

34
29

43
42,5

51
44

32
48

33,5
28

54,4

32,3

43,6

45,2

32,5

34,6

48

33

39

44

30

38

56
57
52,7
49,4
64
54
52
59,1

29,5
28,5
33
33,5
36,5
37
28
36

36,7
37
38
48,2
39
40
36
39,8

32,5
34
41
44,1
43
38
44
42,5

32
33,4
32
33,6
39
44
29
48,2

33,8
36,6
32,5
37
35
37
33,7
29

59

34,6

41

58

46

34

58,2
60,5
48,5
53

33
36,5
26
27,4

38
36,3
37
39

43
42
40
39

30,2
31,2
22,2
23,2

32
31,1
30,5
32,3

TBD

LBA

TPO

PPO

LP

PLA

53,7
49,8
51,3
63,5
55
49,5

29,3
39
37,2
30,8
31,6
34,5

40,5
47
43,2
44,6
35,6
35,9

40,5
44,3
39,8
41,3
44,2
45

24,2
35,2
36,2
37,2
38,2
39,2

33
30
30,2
31,2
34
35

52,3

38

36

48

30,3

31

This research takes 30 breastfeeding mothers. The data is tested by normality test, adequacy test, and uniformity test.
Breastfeeding chair is designed as follow:
In designing the breastfeeding chair, the researchers use percentile 95. Dimension that is used in designing is the
height shoulder while sitting with the measurement of 57, 32 cm. The waist width from the seat base is 45, 76 cm,
the popliteal height for feet support is 42, 02 cm, bottom popliteal for the length of seats base is 47, 22 and the
upper shoulder width for seats back is 33, 995 cm.
4. CONCLUSION
It is found from this research that the major accumulation of body posture RULA in amount of six which means
body posture is in average risk and needs immediate treatment. Also the part of the body that feels hurt and weary is
neck, arm and brisket. Hence, the researchers recommend an ergonomic chair for breastfeeding mother. This chair is
equipped with the hands crutch to prop and lessen the burden so that the mother will not be easily exhausted, weary,
and prevent the risk of injury. Based on anthropometric calculation the chair will be ideally designed with the
following measurement; the height shoulder while sitting is 57, 32 cm, the upper shoulder width is 33, 995 cm, the
popliteal height for feet support is 42, 02 cm, bottom popliteal is 47, 22, the waist width is 45, 76 cm, and upper long
arm is 34,37 cm.

1.

Attachment

Picture 1.1 Side View of Adjustable Breastfeeding Seat

Picture 1.2 Front View of Adjustable Breastfeeding Seat

2.

REFERENCES
- Dr. Suparyanto, M. Kes, Konsep dasar menyusui bayi, Jumat 24 feb 2012
- Roesli. 2000. Mengenal ASI Exklusif. Jakarta : Pustaka Pengembangan Swadaya Nusantara. Tubhus
Agrimidya
- Fredregill, Suzanne dan Ray Fredregill. 2010. The Everything Breastfeeding Book. Second Edition. U.S.A:
F+W Media Inc.