An electromyographic analysis of seated and standing lifting tasks

Details

• Personal Author:
  Karwowski W ; Yates JW
• Description:
  An electromyographic analysis of seated and standing lifting tasks was conducted. The study group consisted of six physically active male volunteers, mean age 26.8 years. The subjects were instrumented with electromyographic electrodes attached to the erector spinae muscles of the low back, the trapezius and rhomboid muscles of the upper back, the deltoid muscles, and the external and internal oblique muscles of the abdominal region. The subjects lifted a wooden tray with slotted handles that contained 15.9 kilograms of lead weights under maximum or submaximum static, or dynamic conditions while standing or sitting. The dynamic standing lifts were performed with a vertical or bent forward posture. The dynamic sitting lifts were performed with a bent forward or twisted posture. Electromyographic data were recorded at 3 second intervals during each lift. When categorized according to posture, electromyographic activity in the upper and low back and shoulder muscles during the sitting lifts was significantly greater than during the standing lifts. Dynamic lifting induced greater activity in these muscle groups than lifting under static conditions. In the abdominal muscles, lifting from the sitting forward posture induced the greatest electromyographic activity for this muscle group. Dynamic lifting from the sitting forward position induced greater activity than static sitting lifting. Abdominal muscle activity did not vary significantly across the other lifts. The authors suggest that lifting tasks performed from a sitting position induce more muscle electrical activity, indicative of more stress, than those performed using a standing posture. This is especially true for muscles in the low and upper back and shoulder. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electrophysiology Ergonomics Laboratories Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Back Load Electromyogram Electrophysiological-measurements Humans Laboratory-testing Lifting Manual-lifting Manual-materials-handling Muscle-contraction Musculoskeletal-system Musculoskeletal-system-disorders NIOSH-Grant NIOSH-Publication Physical-stress Physical Exertion Work Evaluation

  More +
• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Kentucky ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  35
• Issue:
  7
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00209379
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 1992 Jul; 35(7/8):889-898
• Contact Point Address:
  Division of Allied Health University of Louisville Crawford Gymnasium Louisville, KY 40292
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1992
• NORA Priority Area:
  Disease and Injury: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
• Performing Organization:
  University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19860501
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  19870430
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:879efb4b59aa41e47344f466c0bdfa1ba8cfb8ade0763b7a9b7330d1e31e7afc059afd593d018b9b04397498bbb9e6fbdaf8b919cd23e4b12fd84a44e0d063e8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/204125/cdc_204125_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 713.11 KB ]