Balance loss when lifting a heavier-than-expected load: Effects of lifting technique

Deborah Givens HEISS; Richard K SHIELDS; H. John YACK

doi:10.1053/apmr.2002.27377

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Balance loss when lifting a heavier-than-expected load: Effects of lifting technique

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Balance loss when lifting a heavier-than-expected load: Effects of lifting technique

Deborah Givens HEISS, Richard K SHIELDS and H. John YACK

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Vol.83(1), pp.48-59

2002

DOI: 10.1053/apmr.2002.27377

PMID: 11782833

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Abstract

Objectives: To compare the lifting techniques of subjects who did and did not maintain their balance with an unexpectedly heavy load, and to examine whether the balance loss increased low back loading. Design: Repeated-measures design. Setting: A research laboratory. Participants: Fourteen healthy volunteers were assigned to 2 groups in the post hoc analysis. Group 1 (7 men; mean age, 25.6 +/- 4.2yr; height, 1.78 +/-.08m; weight, 83.0 +/- 8.5kg; lifting capacity, 63.2 +/- 8.0kg) maintained balance and was matched to group 2 (7 men; mean age, 26.3 +/- 4.1yr; height, 1.75 +/-.06m; weight, 78.2 +/- 5.3kg; lifting capacity, 64.7 +/- 4.9kg) who lost balance. Interventions: Subjects lifted boxes of 5%, 20%, and 35% of their lifting capacity. Load magnitude was expected or unexpected. Main outcome measures: Center of mass (COM), lower body mechanics, ground reaction forces, and angular and horizontal momentum. Results: Group 1 consistently showed greater lumbar flexion, less knee flexion, and a higher COM just before and after load liftoff. During the heavier-than-expected 35% lift, the trunk angular velocities lifts indicated that both groups experienced eccentric trunk extensor muscle contractions. Conclusions: The semisquat technique may protect against balance loss when lifting unexpectedly heavy loads. Eccentric muscle contractions and rapid increases in lumbar joint reaction moments may increase the risk of low back injury when there is a large, unexpected increase in the weight of the lifted load.

Biological and medical sciences

Diseases of the osteoarticular system. Orthopedic treatment

Medical sciences

Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)

Details

Title: Subtitle: Balance loss when lifting a heavier-than-expected load: Effects of lifting technique
Creators: Deborah Givens HEISS - Physical Therapy Division, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
Richard K SHIELDS - Physical Therapy Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
H. John YACK - Physical Therapy Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Vol.83(1), pp.48-59
DOI: 10.1053/apmr.2002.27377
PMID: 11782833
NLM abbreviation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil
ISSN: 0003-9993
eISSN: 1532-821X
Publisher: Elsevier; New York, NY
Language: English
Date published: 2002
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Record Identifier: 9984047632702771

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