Impact of Lifting of Two Types of Barrels on Postural Control, Trunk Muscle Recruitment, and Kinematic Measures in Manual Workers.

Amanda M.S Cavaguchi,Pablo E.A De Souza,Andreo F Aguiar,Márcio R Oliveira,Suzy Ngomo,Rubens A Da Silva,Christiane G Macedo,Mathieu Dallaire

doi:10.3390/ijerph16122183

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of 2 types of beer barrels on postural control, trunk activation, and kinematic measures in adult workers. Twelve (12) males randomly performed 4 tasks on a force platform for 20 s: (1) hold an empty recyclable barrel, (2) hold a full recyclable barrel (30 L), (3) hold an empty steel barrel, and (4) hold a full steel barrel (30 L). Trunk muscular activation, force platform and kinematic measures at the trunk, hip, and knee joints were computed. The full steel barrel produced greater postural oscillation than other conditions. Higher trunk activity was also reported during the full steel barrel task. Significant kinematic changes only in the trunk were observed between the empty steel barrel and the full recyclable barrel tasks. In conclusion, the full steel barrel produced a negative impact on postural control, increasing trunk activity and changing trunk flexion angle in adult workers.

Highlights

Some evidence reports the negative impact of physical tasks on health in the genesis of occupational injuries
It is known that people who have suffered from low back pain have a propensity to recurrence, ergonomic or functional conditions in the workplace and at home still need to be studied to continue to improve on work operations
As no study was found comparing barrel types, calculation of the sample was based on a similar study made by Shigaki et al [8], which they assessed the effects of a trunk load (10% of body weight) on standing posture stability measures in young and old adults with and without chronic low back pain

Summary

Introduction

Some evidence reports the negative impact of physical tasks on health in the genesis of occupational injuries. The main physical risk factors for work-related MSD are excessive physical overload or repetitive movements associated to compressive forces on spine during lifting, trunk flexion, and awkward postures [1,2]. The association between trunk function and work overload is of interest in determining preventative actions to avoid MSD. It is known that people who have suffered from low back pain have a propensity to recurrence, ergonomic or functional conditions in the workplace and at home still need to be studied to continue to improve on work operations. A recent study from our laboratory [8] showed the negative effect of holding an external load (10% of body mass) on postural stability in both young and older adults with and without chronic low back pain

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Conclusion