The Effect of Load Holding Height on Trunk Biomechanics during Sudden Loading

摘要

Sudden loading during manual material handling poses a significant risk of back injury. The present studyinvestigated the effect of load holding height on trunk biomechanics (trunk flexion angle and L5/S1 jointcompression force) during sudden loading. Eleven subjects were recruited to perform sudden loading taskswith a 6.8 kg load, while maintaining upright standing posture and holding load at three different heightlevels in the sagittal plane. It has been found that load holding height significantly affected L5/S1 jointcompression force and trunk flexion angle. With a lower load holding height, peak L5/S1 joint compressionforce decreased by 17.5%. According to these findings, it is suggested that holding load at a lower levelcould help reduce the risk of low back injury.