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Magnusson M., Pope M. and Hansson T.
Department of Orthopædics, Occupational Unit,
Sahlgren Hospital University of Göteborg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Introduction: For a very long time weightlifters have perceived
a benefit from wearing abdominal belts and physicians have been
prescribing corsets and braces since biblical time. More recently
industrial workers have been using abdominal belts increasingly.
However, braces, corsets and weightlifters belts are fundamentally
different in design to back supports, note the authors.
Method: In this study, the effect of a back support on muscle
force was measured by EMG and on overall trunk load by a stadiometer.
The 12 subjects, who were free of low back pain and other complaints,
repetitively performed two different types of lifts within conservative
NIOSH guidelines. In one, a box was lifted from floor to table;
the other was a straight leg isometric lift.
The percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) by subjects
lifting in this test was less if a support was used. Also, height
loss was less if a belt was used, suggesting a load relieving
effect.
This study did not involve heavy materials handling, but the
majority of subjects felt the support assisted them in lifting
and gave a sense of security. Although not tested here, it is
possible this sense of stabilization is real and could assist
in non sagittal plane lifts.
Conclusion: "In this study of lifting set at the level
of the NIOSH guidelines it was found that a back support reduced
dorsal EMG, increased spine height and was associated with subjective
assessments of improved stability and enhanced lifting capacity."
"Height loss caused by lifting shows pressure is
placed on the spine by lifting. This loss was reduced significantly
when a back support was used."
Malcolm Pope, PhD, Dr Med Sci
Published in Applied Ergonomics, June 1996.
Printing error corrected in an erratum in issue No. 5, 1996.
(Review by Chase Ergonomics approved by Dr. Magnusson, July 1996.)
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