Increasing the Distance between Lift Origin and Destination to Influence Stepping Does Not Improve Torso Kinematics

Abstract

Much of the intervention research for prevention of occupational low back injuries has focused on reduction of torso flexion and the external moment. Little is known about prevention strategies for torso twisting and lateral bending. It was hypothesized that increasing the distance between the lift origin and the pallet would require subjects to take an extra step, and reduce the torso kinematics and resulting LBD Risk. Fifteen males transferred 11.3 kg boxes from a constant origin to a destination pallet at two different distances. Analysis of Variance results indicated that increasing the pallet distance from the lift origin resulted in increases in velocities and accelerations, and the LBD risk at the lower regions of the pallet. These results suggest that increasing the pallet distance from the lifting origin does not appear to be an effective intervention strategy to reduce the risk of occupational LBD associated with torso kinematics.