Abstract
PurposeTo analyze progression of changes in kinematics and work physiology during progressive lifting in healthy adults. MethodsHealthy participants were recruited. A standardized lifting test from the WorkWell Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) was administered, with five progressive lifting low series of five repetitions. The criteria of the WorkWell observation protocol were studied: changes in muscle use (EMG), heart rate (heart rate monitor), base of support, posture and movement pattern (motion capture system). Repeated measures ANOVA's were used to analyze changes during progressive workloads. Results18 healthy young adults participated (8 men, 10 women; mean age 22 years). Mean maximum weight lifted was 66 (±3.2) and 44 (±7.4) kg for men and women, respectively. With progressive loads, statistically significant (p < 0.01) differences were observed: increase in secondary muscle use at moderate lifting, increase of heart rate, increase of base of support and movement pattern changes were observed; differences in posture were not significant. ConclusionsChanges in 4 out of 5 kinematic and work physiology parameters were objectively quantified using lab technology during progressive lifting in healthy adults. These changes appear in line with existing observation criteria.
Highlights
The determination of work ability in patients with musculoskeletal conditions remains challenging
Observational criteria for Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) test evaluators were developed for the Work Well Systems (WWS) FCE to operationally define these changes (WorkWell, 2006) (Table 1)
There was no larger increase in heart rate between set III and set IV, the heart rate at initiation of lifting was higher in set IV compared to set III
Summary
The determination of work ability in patients with musculoskeletal conditions remains challenging. Observational criteria for FCE test evaluators were developed for the Work Well Systems (WWS) FCE to operationally define these changes (WorkWell, 2006) (Table 1). The underlying changes in kinematics and physi ological measures during lifting of progressive loads may assist in determination of normal or abnormal movement patterns (Lang and Dickerson, 2017; Ogata et al, 2018) and muscle use (Fabian et al, 2005). It may be relevant to test the underlying assumptions of the observation criteria While these assumptions are generally plausible and based on well-established work physiology principles (such as heart rate increase, muscle activation patterns, force-velocity curves), the suggested stepwise or even linear progression of these phenomena (i.e. light workload
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