Contributions scientifiques pour la protection des porteurs de colonne humaine

Abstract

Human columns are acrobatic manoeuvres with a high risk for long-term injury, according to data from Cirque du Soleil (CDS). The most affected artists are the base porters who must support the entire weight of the column. The anatomical structures most at risk are the spine and the shoulder. No data in the literature is available regarding the issue of human columns’ base porters and no current protective equipment would be suitable for this problem. The main objective of this study is to design a protective device that could reduce the vulnerability of human columns’ base porters. To do this, the specific objectives of this study are: 1. To analyse the biomechanics of the acrobatic performance of humans columns’ base porters of Cirque du Soleil; 2. To propose a new individual protective device for human columns’ base porters using a product development method based on functional analysis. To meet the first objective, preliminary biomechanical tests were performed with artists of CDS during the formation of a human column. These tests were used to evaluate the kinematics using an optoelectronic system. To meet the second objective, functional specifications were developed and used to select a preliminary concept. This concept has been optimized and led to the fabrication of a functional prototype adjusted to the physiognomy of a human columns’ base porter. The results of the biomechanical analysis show some tendencies in the kinematics of the human columns’ base porters, mainly an extension of the thoracic spine and some angular variation in the frontal and median planes. The proposed prototype of protective device reduces the risk of injury by transferring a part of the weight applied on critical anatomical structures.

Date	31 Jan 2014
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Yvan Petit (Supervisor) & Pierre Jean Arnoux (Co-supervisor)