The Effect of Posture During CPR on Rescuer Muscular Fatigue Development and CPR Quality

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle fatigue and CPR quality over time, during four CPR positions. Twenty-one, CPR-certified participants performed six-minutes of CPR, on a training manikin, at four heights (KH, LH, FH, WH). EMG of sixteen muscles, kinematics of the manikin, and kinetic data at the hands were collected. The MPF identified that four, six, four, and nine muscles fatigued during KH, LH, FH, and WH, respectively. Furthermore, there was a linear decrease in CC force and CC depth over time, during all positions. The results indicated that rescuers should perform CPR below WH. Furthermore, as the TB produced the highest peak activation and fatigued within all CPR positions, it is recommended rescuers attempt to rest the TB during ventilations, if CPR is performed with two or more rescuers. Lastly, CPR feedback devices should be improved to detect full CC and display force vs. depth measurements.