title: Maximal and sub-maximal functional lifting performance at different platform heights.
abstract: Introducing valid physical employment tests requires identifying and developing a small number of practical tests that provide broad coverage of physical performance across the full range of job tasks. This study investigated discrete lifting performance across various platform heights reflective of common military lifting tasks. Sixteen Australian Army personnel performed a discrete lifting assessment to maximal lifting capacity (MLC) and maximal acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) at four platform heights between 1.30 and 1.70 m. There were strong correlations between platform height and normalised lifting performance for MLC (R(2) = 0.76 ± 0.18, p < 0.05) and MAWL (R(2) = 0.73 ± 0.21, p < 0.05). The developed relationship allowed prediction of lifting capacity at one platform height based on lifting capacity at any of the three other heights, with a standard error of < 4.5 kg and < 2.0 kg for MLC and MAWL, respectively.
authors.affiliation: a Land Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation , 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207 , Australia.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jaffrey
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Billing
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ham
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D000066477:Work Performance
keywords: lifting capacity; maximal acceptable weight of lift; physical employment testing; validity