title: Manual handling: differences in perceived effort, success rate and kinematics between three different pushing techniques.
abstract: This study examined the perceived effort, success rates and kinematics for three push strategies in a simulated lateral patient transfer (horizontal slide). Thirteen healthy subjects (four males) completed three repetition pushing loads of 6, 10 and 14 kg in random order; with a spontaneous push strategy, then with a straight-back bent-knees (squat) strategy and the preparatory pelvic movement ('rockback') strategy in random order. Perceived effort and kinematic parameters measured at the onset of movement and at maximum push excursion were compared between strategies and between loads with repeated measures ANOVA. The spontaneous and 'rockback' strategies achieved the pushing task with less perceived effort across all loads than the squat push (P < 0.001). Only 3/13 participants were successful on all attempts at pushing the 14 kg load using a squat strategy, which contrasted with 12/13 participants when the spontaneous strategy or the 'rockback' strategy was used. Forward movement of the pelvis and forward trunk inclination may be positively associated with lower perceived effort in the push task. Practitioner Summary: In a manual-handling task that simulated a lateral patient transfer (horizontal slide), perceived effort and success rates of three push strategies were compared. A straight-back bent-knees push (squat) strategy demonstrated greater perceived effort and lower success rates than a spontaneous push strategy, or a push strategy with preparatory 'rockback' pelvic movement.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varcin
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.forename: Wolbert
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van den Hoorn
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hodges
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000379:methods*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology; D014892:Weight Perception; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: patient handling; perceived effort; push; squat; training