Determination of Efficient Methods of Lift by Comparing Trained and Untrained Male and Female Lifters

摘要

The primary objective of this investigation was to analyze the effects of sex and training variables during non-repetitive, short duration lifts in the sagittal plane. A sample of sixteen subjects (eight men and eight women) were used in the experiment. Selection of these subjects was based on the need to control for size, weight, age and experience. One-half of each sex sub-sample was part of a lifting training program, while the other half was used as a control group. The effects of body movements by these subjects in the height ranges from the floor to the knuckle and the knuckle to the shoulder were ascertained with 10, 25, 40 pound weight loads. Data were collected using electromyograms to determine muscular strain, stroboscopic photography to calculate differences in displacement - time vectors, and the force platform to specify force changes at the feet. The data were analyzed using various statistical techniques - factor analysis, regression analysis, analysis of variance, t-test and non-parametric statistics. The results of this effort were a five factor biomechanical model, regression equations predicting inertial forces at the hands, and significant differences between the untrained and trained conditions, and males and females. The overriding conclusion is that manual handling training programs are necessary in the work environment if women are expected to lift loads of approximately 40 pounds. (Author)