xvi, 128 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / There were two primary goals of this work. The first goal was to investigate humeral and scapular kinematics in a simulated workplace environment. The second goal was to validate a triaxial accelerometer (Virtual Corset) for the collection of humeral elevation exposure data in an occupational setting. To achieve the first goal, healthy subjects were asked to perform constrained and functional humeral elevation motions. Differences were observed in scapular kinematics. In addition, the variability between constrained arm elevation and functional overhead tasks was found to be similar. Therefore, to compare scapular kinematics in an occupational group (dental hygienists) a functional work related task was determined to be more appropriate. The dental hygienists performed teeth instrumentation on simulated patients' with both big and average chest girth in a simulated work environment. Dental hygienist's humeral elevation and scapular upward rotation angles were found to be higher while working on the big chest girth manikin. These differences may increase dental hygienists susceptibility for musculoskeletal disorders. To achieve the second goal, an in-vitro comparison of angles measured with the Virtual Corset and an inclinometer was conducted under static conditions. Under dynamic conditions the Virtual Corset was compared to a potentiometer, in a pendulum setting. It was found that the Virtual Corset can accurately reconstruct elevation angles under static conditions, root mean square error less than 1[white square]. Under dynamic conditions, the error size was related to the angular velocity and acceleration, and the radius of rotation. To further investigate the Virtual Corset's ability to measure exposure parameters in-vivo the Virtual Corset was compare to a magnetic tracking device. To do so dental hygienists performed flossing tasks in a simulated work station. It was found that the Virtual Corset can be used to reconstruct elevation angles, with an acceptable angle error, and to identify exposure parameters in occupational settings similar to the one simulated in the present study. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material. / Adviser: Andrew R. Karduna