Lifting from a Conveyor

Abstract

This study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the effect of the load speed on lifting kinematics and kinetics while lifting from a conveyor. The inertial characteristics of a load moving on a conveyor have the potential to influence lifting technique and low back stress. Participants in this study lifted loads from a conveyor with four load speeds (0 m/s, 0.7 m/s, 1.3 m/s, and 2.4 m/s) while trunk motions and ground reaction forces were monitored. Results revealed that increasing horizontal load speed generated greater sagittal angle and greater lateral ground reaction forces but significantly lower trunk accelerations. The results suggested that the participants maintained a more flexed trunk posture under the higher load speed conditions and utilized the inertia of the load to reduce the peak accelerations of the torso.