title: Is it important to know the load mass in lifting tasks to prevent falls?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lifting objects without knowing its weight may result in postural imbalances and be a risk factor for falls.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the load knowledge in postural balance when lifting different weight loads.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen male subjects (23.8 ± 3.1 years; 73.5 ± 7.8 kg; 179.1 ± 7.5 cm; foot length, 25.7 ± 1.2 cm) participated in the study. The effect of the weight overestimation on the postural stability was measured by the Index of Proximity to Stability Boundary (IPSB) and through the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral lengths displacements of the Center of Pressure (CoP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed an increase in the IPSB when the 5 kg lifting task was performed with load knowledge. Moreover, the length of the antero-posterior and medio-lateral CoP displacement was reduced in the 5 kg lift with knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed that the lack of the loads' knowledge may lead to balance loss. Thus, when the preparation processes are not adequate, picking up similar objects with different loads may increase the risk of fall, mainly when a light weight is suddenly lifted up after a heavy one.
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Maia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Maia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mourão
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Sports Science, Health and Human Development, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abade
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Maia, Portugal.|Research Center in Sports Science, Health and Human Development, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D004856:Postural Balance; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Postural stability; center of pressure; occupational safety