Elizabethtown College Engineering major Caroline Casumpang ’26 is spending her summer on campus researching levels of fatigue when using ergonomic handled tools as part of the Elizabethtown College Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP).
Casumpang has been working alongside faculty mentor and Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics Mark Brinton, testing different hammers to determine which type of handle creates the least amount of fatigue. To test fatigue, Casumpang applies electrode sensors to skin and runs a swing test, followed by attaching a weight to the hammer and holding it upright.
The end goal of this research is to find the most efficient handle for tools that causes the least amount of fatigue while in use.
Title of Research
Using EMG to Quantify Fatigue with Ergonomic Handled Tools
Student Researcher
Caroline Casumpang ’26 (Engineering major)
Faculty Mentor
Mark Brinton, PhD, Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics
What are you researching?
Casumpang: For my project, I am collecting muscle signals from the forearm as the person holds and swings a hammer with the standard handle, and an ergonomic handle to see if the ergonomic one reduces muscle fatigue. With this data, I will process them through Matlab and evaluate the muscle fatigue over time.
Why did you choose this topic?
Casumpang: Before my first college semester, I had little to no coding experience and have never been exposed to the Matlab program. After learning how useful it was for my major, I wanted to get more chances to work with it. This project allowed me to improve my coding skills and establish a more concrete foundation in the Matlab program.
What is the most interesting aspect of this research?
Casumpang: The most interesting part of this research would be collecting the data from each test and seeing how the different datasets differ from each other as fatigue becomes more evident.
How has your faculty mentor helped you?
Casumpang: My mentor, Mark Brinton, has been patient with me during this project. He has provided me with the independence to learn and figure things out at my own pace but was quick to help answer any questions I had clearly and concisely. I have been learning a lot working under him.
Hear from the faculty mentor – Mark Brinton
“Caroline is a fantastic researcher, Brinton said. “She is self-driven, a quick learner, and able to learn and apply new concepts independently. She’s very good at finding solutions to solve the tasks we outline each week. I’m excited to see what else she can accomplish during her time here at Elizabethtown College.”