title: Evaluation of methods to assess push/pull forces in a construction task.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the validity of methods to assess push/pull forces exerted in a construction task. Forces assessed using a hand-held digital force gauge were compared to those obtained using a highly accurate measuring frame. No significant differences were found between the methods, except for peak push forces, for which the forces assessed with the force gauge were significantly lower than those assessed with the measuring frame. When the construction task was reproduced close to the actual workplace by simulation against a fixed object using the force gauge, all exerted forces on the force gauge were significantly lower than those on the measuring frame, except for mean pull forces. When self-reports were compared to the exerted forces on the measuring frame, the construction workers overestimated the exerted push/pull forces by 50%. In conclusion, when applied for direct measurements, the force gauge can be used to validly assess push/pull forces at the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, AmCOGG Amsterdam Centre for Research into Health and Health Care, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.j.hoozemans@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hoozemans
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Beek
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Frings-Dresena
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: van der Molen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis