Lumbar spine loads during education and training with self-contained breathing apparatus.
OBJECTIVE
German fire fighters often complain of lumbar back pain after training with a self-contained breathing apparatus while using a device called 'Schlaghammer' (SH). We investigated whether this training produces an excessive load on the lumbar spine.


METHODS
We developed a model to estimate the load on the lumbar spine using a vector model similar to Jäger et al.'s model. The force at the SH's cable was recorded on-line, and the position of each subject was registered with synchronized series of photos. The influence of the different parameters was calculated by varying these data (+/- 10%) and computing the model.


RESULTS
There is no dangerous load for healthy persons using a correct technique. Improper technique, however, caused by exhaustion or ignorance, can result in high peaks of lumbar spine load.


CONCLUSIONS
The lumbar spine loads involved are acceptable if the exercise is performed with a straight back without bending of the lumbar spine and without sudden acceleration. The direction of the pull should be towards the lumbar spine.
Küpper
T
T
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany. kuepper.cl.th@t-online.de
Haisch
M
M
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015444:Exercise; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008954:Models, Biological; D009790:Occupations; D012119:Respiration; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*