Design and Fabrication of Ergonomic Auxiliary Handles for Agricultural Tools

This study tested whether adding ergonomic auxiliary handles to common farming tools — shovels and pitchforks — could reduce the physical strain on women farmers. Eight women participants performed typical farm tasks using both standard tools and the same tools fitted with one of two auxiliary handle designs (EAHA and EAHB). Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen use, and joint angles at the hip, wrist, elbow, and trunk. The results showed a real trade-off: the EAHA handle significantly reduced hip bending (a major source of back strain), but it also increased elbow strain. The EAHB handle offered a more balanced improvement, reducing wrist strain without pushing as much load onto the elbow. Overall energy use was slightly lower with the auxiliary handles, though not enough to be statistically conclusive given the small group size. The takeaway is that ergonomic add-on handles can meaningfully help women farmers, but no single design solves everything — relieving strain in one joint can shift it to another, so tool design needs to be carefully balanced with women farmers' specific anatomy in mind.