title: The effects of transfer distance on spine kinematics when placing boxes at different heights.
abstract: Twisting and lateral bending motions in repetitive lifting tasks are associated with occupational low back injuries and can be challenging to reduce with engineering controls. This study tested the hypothesis that twisting and lateral bending can be reduced by changing the transfer distance. Eighteen males, with no material handling experience lifted 10.9 kg boxes from 0.9 m above the floor and placed the boxes at a destination located 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, or 1.75 m away and at heights of 0.5 m, 0.9 m, and 1.3 m above the floor. Overall, twisting and forward bending decreased with increased transfer distance when placing the box. Conversely, the lateral bending when lifting and placing the box increased with increasing transfer distance. In short, having a transfer distance between 1 and 1.25 m when performing palletizing tasks to different heights may optimally balance spine kinematics, back injury risk, and productivity measures.
authors: Department of Psychology, Kyungnam University, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: taehoonk@kyungnam.ac.kr.
authors: Tae Hoon
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Jay P
authors: JP
authors: Mehta
authors: Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Monica R
authors: MR
authors: Weiler
authors: Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Steven A
authors: SA
authors: Lavender
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Back injury; Lifting; Musculoskeletal disorders