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A Comparative Study between Available Lifting Tools for Assessment of Risk of Back Injuries

Rajaee, Mohamad Ali | 2014

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 45771 (08)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Mechanical Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Arjmand, Navid
  7. Abstract:
  8. Epidemiological studies have identified manual material handling and lifting as risk factors in occupational low back pain (LBP). There are many lifting analysis tools to estimate the risk of injury during a specific lifting task. One for using these tools, needs to know the limitations of each tool and be noticed where a tool cannot be used. The purpose of this study is to compare different biomechanical models of lumbar spine and find out their characteristics.Five models are chosen for this study which are: the University of Michigan’s Static Strength Prediction Program ( ) software, the revised Hand-Calculation Back Compressive Force (HCBCF) equation, the simple polynomial equation of low back compression, Anybody Modelling System, and the regression equations of Arjmand and co-workers. In order to have a comprehensive comparison, tasks where designed as inputs for the models. The results are also compared with in vivo data when available.The five tools predicted considerably different compressive and shear forces at both and levels for the simulated lifting activities. Results showed that regression equation and AnyBody are in better agreement with in vivo data of intradiscal pressure. AnyBody cannot converge for tasks with degrees abduction in hands, flexion more than and some demanding tasks. cannot be used for asymmetric task at level. Utah predictions for the compression force in simulated symmetric tasks fall generally, despite its simplicity, within the range of those of the other three lifting tools. McGill polynomial is not sensitive to the magnitude of load, but is the only tool which is sensitive to the direction of load. No tool showed sensitivity to the elevation of load. McGill polynomial and AnyBody are more demanding in the case of simulation compared to other tools. As both ease-of-use and accuracy are important for practitioners in the field of ergonomics and occupational health, the regression equations are recommended for simulation of symmetric tasks with one load carried by both hands and of asymmetric tasks where trunk asymmetry angle is small
  9. Keywords:
  10. Biomechanical Modeling ; Lumbar Spine Portion ; Comparison Survey ; Biomechanical Models ; Lifting Analysis Tools ; Spinal Loads

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