Spectral EMG-mapping, surface EMG-polygraphy, movement analysis and determining ground unit stress during systematised lifting test with defined trial groups with and without back support belts

Status:

completed 12/1996

Aims:

Prevention of work-induced damage of spine

Activities/Methods:

Validation of preventive effects of back support belts

Results:

Non-linear increase in EMG-activity (saturation characteristic) only with non-trained experimentees, trained experimentees (construction workers) show linear connection, the correlation between EMG-amplitude and load varies significantly more with untrained experimentees than with trained; activation patterns are as a rule asymmetric, asymmetry is reduced by wearing back support belt (trained experimentees), above all in the upper levels of the erector spinea muscle and in the area of the trapezius muscle; ground unit stress is very similar for the lifting and lowering phase, the strain duration is in part considerably longer in the lowering phase; different inter-individual coping strategies are reflected in the dynamics; reduction of the maximum forces in the lifting phase with back support belt, increased effect with increased load, but not with all individuals; specific individual asymmetries in the ground unit stress; indications of less flexion of the spine when lifting with the belt in comparison to lifting without the belt.

Publications:

Referat auf "Prävention von berufs- und arbeitsbedingten Gesundheitsstörungen und Erkrankungen - 3. Erfurter Tage" 12/96

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