Development of an exercise program to prevent low back pain using an ergonomic approach

Abstract

Recent statistic data shows that low back pain accounts for the largest percent of industrial injuries occurred by manual material handling tasks and has an increasing trend around the world. The objective of this study is to develop a prevention method for low back pain using electromyography that resists the strain on the L5/S1 disc and measures the heart rate for the prevention of low back pain during lifting tasks. EMG signals and heart rate were analysed under the condition of a fixed vertical factor (20~80 cm), two horizontal factors (35 cm, 55 cm), two weight factors (10 kg, 25 kg), and two times per minute for each lifting task. Eight healthy male workers performed nine-step strengthening & stretching exercises that can increase back strength on the L5/S1 disc for six months. After completion of the two trials, the results were compared.