Estimation of load transfer force to the hands during sagittal plane box lifting

Abstract

Load transfer force to the hands was investigated to provide an accurate estimate of load transfer during sagittal lifting tasks for application in an industrial setting. The effects of gender, load mass, lift style, load transfer duration and participant strength were examined as possible variables to improve the estimation of load transfer force. Ten healthy men and eleven healthy women completed a total of 25 box lifts using a freestyle technique. Kinematic data were collected using the OPTOTRAK™ and a portable video camera. Measured load transfer force (MLTF) was determined as the total load weight minus measured values from a force plate. Five methods of estimating load transfer to the hands were calculated and compared with MLTF. The enhanced load transfer force method (ELTF) of estimating load transfer to the hands was superior to all other estimation methods.