Dynamic Biomechanical Model for Sagittal Lifting Activities

Abstract

Biomechanical analyses have been performed on many activities in the military, in sports, and in industry. Such analyses can provide Kinematic and Kinetic information. With emphasis on occupational safety and health, there has been a renewed interest in the biomechanical investigations of certain stressful tasks in industry such as those involving the handling of material. This paper presents the development and application of a “Dynamic Biomechanical Model for Sagittal Lifting Activities”. The model accepts operator characteristics data, operator postural data, and task characteristic data. From this, the model simulates the lifting action and calculates the reactive forces and torques at the various joints of the body. The model also provides data on the compressive and shear forces on the spine at L-4, L-5, and S-1. Results showing the stresses on the musculo-skeletal system will be presented for typical sagittal lifting activities snowing the differences between leg lift and back lift as well as the effects of weight lifted and size of the container on these stresses. Kinematic information will also be presented. Finally the usefulness and limitation of the models and future research requirements will be presented.