The Relationship between Carrying Activity and Low Back Pain: A Critical Review of Biomechanics Studies (original) (raw)
Related papers
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2017
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a back belt on vertical load transfer in terms of carrying using a single dominant hand, lumbopelvic muscle strength, and perceived difficulty in performing an active straight lower limb raise (ASLR) test among adults with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). A total of 20 adults with NSLBP and 20 matched individuals without low back pain (LBP) participated in this study. Vertical load transfer was measured via a Matscan pressure assessment system for both standing and walking scenarios while carrying incremental loads. Lumbopelvic muscle strength during prone hip extension (PHE) test was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Perceived difficulty in performing the ASLR test was measured with a 6-point Likert scale. A three-way ANOVA was conducted to examine the effects of vertical load transfer. Lumbopelvic muscle strength and perceived difficulty were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. The results demonstrated an increase in vertical load transfer, increased lumbopelvic muscle strength, and decreased perceived difficulty in performing ASLR test with use of a back belt. The findings suggest that the use of a back belt in adults with NSLBP may improve vertical load transfer during load-carrying tasks, maximize lumbopelvic muscle strength, and decrease perceived difficulty in performing a task. This is relevant to industry, as use of a back belt is an option for industrial workers with NSLBP during manual load carrying to optimize vertical load transfer and personal comfort.
Low back pain and lifting: A review of epidemiology and aetiology
Work, 2003
The incidence of low back pain has continued to increase in modern society, despite the considerable amount of scientific research that has aimed to isolate its exact aetiology. Although low back pain is still largely idiopathic, research has identified over one hundred risk factors for the condition. Of these risk factors, manual material handling tasks are perhaps the most widely explored within the biomechanical literature, as these tasks have been associated with high mechanical stresses on the lower back. Numerous technique-related variables have been addressed by researchers, whilst the influence of intra-abdominal pressure has also been considered. In addition to this, the implications of variations in the size and structural composition of the load have also been assessed. However, low back pain continues to pose a significant threat to the financial stability and happiness of millions of people worldwide. In addition, a number of functional work capacity assessment tests use lifting as a method for assessment of return to work condition. Many of these tests are not standardised and do not consider the implications of low back loading. Therefore new research attempts in this area are justified and should aim to identify the extent of the association that exists between the known risk factors and the incidence of low back pain.
BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2017
Impaired lumbo-pelvic movement in people with low back pain during bending task has been reported previously. However, the regional mobility and the pattern of the lumbo-pelvic movement were found to vary across studies. The inconsistency of the findings may partly be related to variations in the speed at which the task was executed. This study examined the effects of bending speeds on the kinematics and the coordination lumbo-pelvic movement during forward bending, and to compare the performance of individuals with and without low back pain. The angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of the lumbo-pelvic movement during the repeated forward bending executed at five selected speeds were acquired using the three dimensional motion tracking system in seventeen males with low back pain and eighteen males who were asymptomatic. The regional kinematics and the degree of coordination of the lumbo-pelvic movement during bending was compared and analysed between two groups. Signific...
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 2017
Prior studies have reported differences in lumbo-pelvic kinematics during a trunk forward bending and backward return task between individuals with and without chronic low back pain; yet, the literature on lumbo-pelvic kinematics of patients with acute low back pain is scant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was set to investigate lumbo-pelvic kinematics in this cohort. A case-control study was conducted to investigate the differences in pelvic and thoracic rotation along with lumbar flexion as well as their first and second time derivatives between females with and without acute low back pain. Participants in each group completed one experimental session wherein they performed trunk forward bending and backward return at self-selected and fast paces. Compared to controls, individuals with acute low back pain had larger pelvic range of rotations and smaller lumbar range of flexions. Patients with acute low back pain also adopted a slower pace compared to asymptomatic controls wh...
2020
Abstract-Low-back pain and injury are responsible for a major portion of lost workdays and injury compensation claims. The use of back support belts has been forwarded as a counter measure towards reducing low-back injuries in the industrial setting. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a back support belt relieves stresses encountered by the lumbar spine during stoop type lifting and potentially reduce the risk of injury. METHODS: Twelve male participants (49.7±3.7 years) performed two sessions of stooped type lifting with a loaded milk crate (11.5 kg), at 4 repetitions per minute, for 15 minutes in accordance with the NIOSH lifting equation. One lifting session was performed without a support belt, while the other with a support belt. Three sets of fluoroscopic images were collected with the participants positioned at the initiation (flexed trunk), mid-range, and completion of the lift (erect standing). The first series of images were collected under a noload con...
Sagittal trunk movements during load carrying activities: a pilot study
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2003
The objective of this study was to describe trunk movements in sedentary subjects, and in workers with and without musculoskeletal symptoms, when carrying loads in simulated tasks. The 38 subjects who participated in this study were divided into 4 groups, consisting of 9 male students, 10 female students, 10 female symptomatic industrial workers and 9 asymptomatic industrial workers. The trunk movements of all subjects were recorded by a biaxial back electrogoniometer when carrying loads between surfaces of different heights. An analysis of variance for repeated measures were performed, which was followed by the Duncan post hoc test for comparison of anthropometrical data between subjects, amplitude of movement, and time spent in each movement per group and per experimental condition. The height of the surfaces to which the loads were carried to or from, significantly influenced the trunk positions during handling (po0:01), as if subjects were anticipating the target position whilst handling. Also, more time was spent in flexion (po0:01) than in extension. These aspects increase the risks of possible injury in such activities.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2001
The influence of various modes of carrying a load of 16kg (15.69DaN) on the static positioning of the pelvic girdle and the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine was examined in seven male subjects. The displacement of cutaneous markers attached to easily palpable skeletal landmarks was recorded using 4 CCD cameras the data acquired were analysed using an optoelectronic technique (SAGA3). The subjects stood upright on an AMTI biomechanical force platform, from which the ground reaction forces enabled displacements of the centre of gravity axis and thus the moment of the mass carried to be determined. The modes of load carriage examined were 1) in a case in the left hand 2) in a case in the right hand 3) equally in two cases 4) on the head 5) in a rucksack and 6) in an anterior bag. The results showed displacements of the pelvic girdle, the caudal and cranial lumbar segments, and the caudal and cranial thoracic segments in the three orthogonal planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse). The influence of the moment created by the load was seen in the statokinesigrams. The use of external markers using an optoelectronic technique, in association with the ground reaction forces, enables the mode of load carriage to be determined. The results show that the influence of the moment exerted by the mode of load carriage on the gravity axis has important ergonomic consequences.
Effect of load carriage on spinal compression
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2011
Backpack is commonly carried either posteriorly or anteriorly. Although load carriage has been shown to have significant effects on postural alignment and spinal muscle activity, its effect on spinal loading was not studied. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different load carriage methods on spinal loading over time via the measurement of spinal compression. Eight male adults participated in this study. They were asked to carry a load equivalent to 15% of their body weight either anteriorly or posteriorly for 20 min followed by 10 min of unloading. Their statures were measured before load carriage and every 2 min after carrying the load. The sequence of loading conditions was randomized and the participants took a 20-min rest with Fowler's posture for spinal length recovery prior to each testing condition. The amount of spinal compression was found to be associated with carrying duration. Spinal compression during anterior carriage was larger than that of posterior carriage. There was a mild recovery of spinal compression after the removal of the carried load for both the anterior and posterior carriage conditions. Relevance to industry: Short-term putting a backpack anteriorly might be useful for temporarily relieving postural changes induced by posterior carriage. However, prolonged anterior carriage is not recommended. The effects of load carriage on spinal compression should be considered in the design of a load carriage system with load partially or completely positioned in the front Ó