Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea (대한인간공학회지)

Ergonomics Society of Korea (대한인간공학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Comparison of Biomechanical Stress on Low Back(L5/S1) for One-hand and Two-hands Lowering Activity

  • Kim, Hong-Ki (Department of Industrial Management Engineering, Kyonggi University)
  • Received : 2013.03.18
  • Accepted : 2013.05.22
  • Published : 2013.10.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lowering activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lowering heights from knuckle height to 10cm above floor level. Background: Even though two-hands lifting/lowering activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting/lowering are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lowering tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lowering technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lowering tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lowering tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 6%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15kg. For the right-hand lowering task, these were increased by the average 17%. For the two-hands lowering tasks, these were increased by the average 14%. Conclusion: Even though the effect of workload on the biomechanical stress for both one-hand and two-hands lowering tasks is not so significant for the workload less than 15kg, it can be claimed that the biomechanical stress for one-hand lowering is greater than for two-hands lowering tasks. Therefore, it can be concluded that asymmetrical lowering posture would give greater influence on the biomechanical stress than the workload effect for one-hand lowering activity. Application: The result of this study may be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lowering activity.

Keywords

References

  1. Allread, W.G., Marras, W.S. and Parnianpour, M., Trunk kinematics of one-handed lifting, and the effects of asymmetry and load weight, Ergonomics, 39(2), 322-334, 1996. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139608964462
  2. Bertec Force Plate 4060A, Bertec Corporation, 6171 Huntley Road, Suite 3, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
  3. De Looze, M.P., Toussaint, H.M., Van Dieen, J.H. and Kemper, H.C.G., Joint moments and muscle activity in the lower extremeties and lower back in lifting and lowering tasks, Journal of Biomechanics, 26(9), 1067-1076, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9290(05)80006-5
  4. Davis, K.G., Marras, W.S. and Waters, T.R., Evaluation of spinal loading during lowering and lifting, Clinical Biomechanics, 13(3), 141-152, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0268-0033(97)00037-5
  5. Drury, C.G., Law, C. and Pawenski, C.S., A survey of industrial box handling, Human Factors, 24, 553-565, 1982. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872088202400505
  6. Fischer, B.O., Analysis of Spinal Stresses During Lifting, unpublished M.S. Thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1967.
  7. Gagnon, D. and Gagnon, M., The influence of dynamic factors on triaxial net muscular moments at the L5/S1 joint during asymmetric lifting and lowering, Journal of Biomechanics, 25, 891-901, 1992. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(92)90229-T
  8. Gagnon, M. and Smyth, G., Muscular mechanical energy expenditure as a process for detecting potential risks in manual material handling, Journal of Biomechanics, 24, 191-203, 1991. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(91)90177-O
  9. Gall, B. and Parkhouse, W., Changes in physical capacity as a function of age in heavy manual work, Ergonomics, 47(6), 671-687, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130410001658691
  10. Garg, A., Physiological response to one-handed in the horizontal plane by female workers, American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 44, 190-200, 1983. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298668391404626
  11. Garg, A. and Saxena, U., Maximum frequency acceptable to female workers for one-handed lifts in the horizontal plane, Ergonomics, 25(9), 839-853, 1982. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138208925040
  12. Kim, H.K., Comparison of Lifting and Lowering Activity based on Biomechanical, Physiological, Psychophysical Criteria, Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, 29(1), 145-153, 2010. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2010.29.1.145
  13. Kim, H.K., Comparison of Compressive Forces on Low Back(L5/S1) for One-hand Lifting and Two-hands Lifting Activity, Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, 30(5), 597-603, 2011. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2011.30.5.597
  14. Laboratory Information Management System, LIMS Version 1.24, AMT System, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
  15. Marras, W.S., Davis, S.W., Miller, R.J. and Mirka, G.A., Apparatus for monitoring the motion components of the spine, U.S. Patent Offices, Serial No. 09/336,896, 1990.
  16. Marras, W.S., Fathallah, F.A., Miller, R.J., Davis, S.W. and Mirka, G.A., Accuracy of a three-dimensional lumbar motion monitor for recording dynamic trunk motion characteristics, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 9, 75-87, 1992. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-8141(92)90078-E
  17. Marras and Davis, Spine loading during asymmetric lifting using one versus two hands, Ergonomics, 41(6), 817-834, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1080/001401398186667
  18. Marras, W.S. and Mirka, G.A., Trunk strength during asymmetric trunk motion, Human Factors, 31, 667-677, 1989. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872088903100603
  19. McGil, S.M., Searching for the safe biomechanical envelope for maintaining healthy tissue, Pre-ISSLS Workshop, The Contribution of Biomechanics to the Prevention and Treatment of Low Back Pain, University of Vermont, June 25, 1996.
  20. Mirka, G.A., and Marras, W.S., A stochastic model of trunk muscle contraction during trunk bending, Spine, 18, 1396-1409, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199318110-00003
  21. Mital, A. and Ilango, M., Subjective estimates of one-handed carrying tasks, Applied Ergonomics, 14, 265-269, 1983. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(83)90004-2
  22. Mital, A. and Kumar, S., Human muscle strength definitions, measurement, and usage: Part I - Guidelines for the practitioner, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 22, 101-121, 1998a. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(97)00070-X
  23. Mital, A. and Kumar, S., Human muscle strength definitions, measurement, and usage: Part II - The scientific basis (knowledge base) for the guide, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 22, 123-144, 1998b. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(97)00071-1
  24. Mo, Seung-Min, Kwag, Jongseon, Jung, Myung-Chul, Literature Review on One-Handed Manual Material Handling, Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, 29(5), 819-829, 2010. https://doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2010.29.5.819
  25. NI-DAQ-DA2821, National Instruments Corporation, 11500N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
  26. NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting, Department of Health and Human Services Publication No. 81-122, 1981.
  27. Reid, J.G. and Costigan, P.A., Trunk muscle balance and muscular force, Spine, 12, 783-786, 1987. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-198710000-00013
  28. Troup, J.D.G., Leskinen, T.P.J., Stalhammar, H.R. and Kuorinka, I.A.A., A Comparison of Intraabdominal Pressure Increases, Hip Torque, and Lumbar Vertebral Compression in different Lifting Technique, Human Factors, 4, 1983.
  29. Waters, T.R., Putz-Anderson, V., Garg, A. and Fine, L.J., Revised NIOSH equation for the design and evaluation of manual lifting tasks, Ergonomics, 36(7), 749-776, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139308967940