Does a back support have a positive biomechanical effect?
Back supports, or lifting belts, are widely used. Subjects, free of low back pain, lifted in a simulated task, meeting the 1993 NIOSH guidelines. The back support reduced the electromyographic signal in the dorsal muscles. The back support also reduced the height loss as measured by a stadiometer. In most subjects the support also gave a subjective impression of increased support and increased lifting capacity.
Magnusson
M
M
Iowa Spine Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Pope
M H
MH
Hansson
T
T