The Influence of External Load Configuration on Trunk Biomechanics and Spinal Loading During Sudden Loading

Details

• Personal Author:
  Madinei S ; Motabar H ; Ning X
• Description:
  Sudden loading is a major risk factor for work-related lower back injuries among occupations involving manual material handling (MMH). The current study explored the effects of external weight configuration on trunk biomechanics and trunk rotational stiffness in the sagittal plane during sudden loading. Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers experienced sudden loadings using the same magnitude of weight (9 kg) with two different configurations (medially- or laterally-distributed) at three levels of height (low, middle and high). Results of this study showed that the medially distributed weight resulted in a significantly higher peak L5/S1 joint compression force (2861 N vs. 2694 N) and trunk rotational stiffness (2413 Nm/rad vs. 1785 Nm/rad) compared to the laterally distributed weight. It was concluded that when experiencing sudden loading, a more laterally distributed weight could increase the load's resistance to physical perturbations and alleviate spinal loading during sudden loading events. Practitioner summary: Increased trunk rotational stiffness and peak L5/S1 joint compression force were observed when undergoing a sudden load release of a medially distributed load compared to a laterally distributed load revealing a less stable hand load condition due to the reduced moment of inertia. The laterally distributed load could increase the load's resistance to physical perturbations and mitigate spinal loading during sudden loading events. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Low Back Pain Back Injuries Biomechanics Lifting Low Back Pain Manual Material Handling Manual Materials Handling MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Sudden Loading Weight Configuration

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• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  61
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20063425
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 2018 Oct; 61(10):1364-1373
• Contact Point Address:
  Xiaopeng Ning, The Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6070, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
• Email:
  xiaopeng.ning@mail.wvu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  West Virginia University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c4c4bb7cf309ebfc2d251559c795937bb3706ee43cdfa1168af51c00fa92a9b6e083ea0c120bd1f9aa434ea15a3ba0b9f3695dbdd6bb454bf80cd9bd282590e1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/226491/cdc_226491_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.30 MB ]