The influence of load knowledge on lifting technique

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of load knowledge on lifting technique. Ten men lifted a box containing either no weight or weights of 150, 250 or 300 N with and without knowledge of what was inside the box. The kinetics and kinematics of the HA were analysed using a force plate, an optoelectronic motion analysis system, and a rigid body link model. At ON lifting, the unknown load resulted in a jerk–like motion and a significantly increased peak L5–S1 flexion–extension moment. At 150N there was also a significant increase in the speed of trunk extension with unknown weights, but the L5–S1 moment remained unchanged. At higher load levels there were only minor differences between lifting techniques when knowing and not knowing the load. We conclude that lifts are approached assuming a certain weight, and that when the assumption is wrong and the load lighter than anticipated lifting is performed with a ‘jerking’ motion, creating unnecessary loads on the lower back.

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