Manual demolition tasks are heavy physical demanding tasks which involve forceful
exertion of sustained pushing. They result in muscle fatigue which could lead to
musculoskeletal disorders. Assessments of maximum endurance time (MET) are essential in
understanding the developing of muscle fatigue for these tasks.
OBJECTIVE:
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of handle height and load
conditions on the MET, and to establish MET models for the simulated demolition
tasks.
METHODS:
Twenty three male participants performed simulated demolition tasks under three loads
and three handle heights conditions until they could not do so any longer. Their METs
and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded and analyzed.
RESULTS:
The results showed that both load and handle height were significant
(p < 0.0001) factors affecting the MET. Regression models to
predict the MET under handle height and load conditions were established. The mean
absolute deviations of these models were between 1.91 and 4.84 min.
CONCLUSION:
The MET models established may be used to estimate the MET which may be adopted in
work/rest arrangement for demolition tasks using a handheld demolition hammer.
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