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Mining Publication: Biomechanical Modeling of Asymmetric Lifting Tasks in Constrained Lifting Postures
Keywords: Back Fixed or awkward postures Lifting or lowering Modeling Musculoskeletal disorders
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. Contact NIOSH Mining if you need an accessible version.
Original creation date: October 1997
Authors: S Gallagher, CA Hamrick, AC Love
Conference Paper - October 1997
Download PDF Document (0.26 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 00207997
In: Karwowski W, Wogalter MS, Dempsey PG, eds. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: research on manual materials handling, 1983-1996. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1997 Oct; :86-90
A biomechanical model was used to study internal forces acting on the lumbar spine during asymmetric lifting tasks in restricted postures. Twelve healthy male subjects, nine of them experienced underground miners, participated in the study. Three independent variables were used; posture (Pos) for the lift (stooped or kneeling), height (Hgt) to which a box was lifted (35 or 70 centimeters (cm)), and weight (Wgt) of box (15, 20, or 25 kilograms (kg)). The lifting tasks were performed under a 1.2 meter roof that restricted posture. Electromyograms (EMGs) of eight trunk muscles (left and right erectores spinae, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, and rectus abdominis) were recorded during the lifting tasks and later digitized to derive a biomechanical model. The model produced estimates of muscle forces. Results showed that compression involved a significant PosxWgt interaction, and that it increased at a higher rate for kneeling than for stooping, although total compression was higher when kneeling. Lifting to a higher shelf increased compression. Peak lateral shear tended towards a nonsignificant increase in the kneeling position. Muscle recruitment was complicated due to changing conditions. Interaction of PosxHgtxWgt achieved significance at the 0.001 level. The activity of the latissimus dorsi were higher in the stooped posture than when kneeling, whereas increased erectores spinae activity was consistently seen while kneeling. The rectus abdominis muscles were slightly more active in the stooped position. The authors conclude that although the current model seems to give a good picture of the muscle loading on the spine, and will assist in the development of recommendations for lifting tasks in the mining environment, the model does not explain biomechanical factors responsible for the production of low back pain.
Image of publication Biomechanical Modeling of Asymmetric Lifting Tasks in Constrained Lifting PosturesConference Paper - October 1997
Download PDF Document (0.26 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 00207997
In: Karwowski W, Wogalter MS, Dempsey PG, eds. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: research on manual materials handling, 1983-1996. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1997 Oct; :86-90
See Also
A Comparison of Fatigue Failure Responses of Old Versus Middle-Aged Lumbar Motion Segments in Simulated Flexed Lifting
Effects of Lifting in Four Restricted Postures
The Effects of Operator Position, Pallet Orientation, and Palletizing Condition on Low Back Loads in Manual Bag Palletizing Operations
Effects of Posture on Back Strength and Lifting Capacity
Effects of Posture on Dynamic Back Loading During a Cable Lifting Task
Evaluation of the Relative Importance of Coalbed Reservoir Parameters for Prediction of Methane Inflow Rates During Mining of Longwall Development Entries
An Exploratory Study of Loading and Morphometric Factors Associated with Specific Failure Modes in Fatigue Testing of Lumbar Motion Segments
Lifting in Stooped and Kneeling Postures: Effects on Lifting Capacity, Metabolic Cost, and Electromyography of Eight Trunk Muscles
Physical Strength Assessment in Ergonomics
Whole-Body Vibration and Postural Stress among Operators of Construction Equipment: A Literature Review
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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