Trunk Muscle Use during Pulling Tasks: Effects of a Lifting Belt and Footing Conditions

摘要

Pulling tasks require the torso to act as a rigid link in order to facilitate the force transmission between the ground and the hands. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a lifting belt increases the rigidity of the torso, thereby increasing pulling strength or reducing trunk muscle forces, or both, as pulling tasks are performed. Twelve volunteers performed maximal and submaximal isometric pulling exertions; the latter were performed on nonslippery and slippery sur- faces. Electromyographic data from 8 trunk muscles, trunk kinematic data, and ground reaction forces were samples during each exertion.