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Comparison of different lifting analysis tools in estimating lower spinal loads – Evaluation of NIOSH criterion

Ghezelbash, F ; Sharif University of Technology | 2020

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110024
  3. Publisher: Elsevier Ltd , 2020
  4. Abstract:
  5. Excessive loads on the human spine is recognized as a risk factor for back injuries/pain. Various lifting analysis tools such as musculoskeletal models, regression equations and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation (NLE) have been proposed to evaluate and mitigate associated risks during manual material handling activities. Present study aims to compare predicted spinal loads from 5 different lifting analysis tools as well as to critically evaluate the NIOSH recommended weight limit (RWL). Spinal loads were estimated under different symmetric/asymmetric lifting tasks in which hand-load mass at each task was set based on RWL from NLE. Estimated intradiscal pressures (IDPs) of various tools were also compared with in vivo measurements. We compared RWL by NLE versus our estimations of RWL calculated from our regression equations using biomechanical criteria (compression <3400 N with/without shear <1000, 1250 or 1500 N). Our regression equations followed by OpenSim, AnyBody, simple polynomial and 3DSSPP satisfactorily predicted L4-L5 IDPs. Lifting analysis tools estimated comparable spinal compression forces (mean Pearson's r = 0.80; standard deviation of relative difference = 26%) while in shear, differences were greater (mean Pearson's r = 0.68; standard deviation of relative difference = 56%). NLE estimations of RWL were conservative in comparison with our estimations for lean individuals (BMI < 25 kg/m2) when compression <3400 N and shear <1250 N were considered as the biomechanical criteria. For heavier individuals, however, NLE estimations of RWL generated spinal compression >3400 N (NIOSH biomechanical safety threshold) as well as shear >1000 N. Although RWLs estimated by NLE was body weight independent, body weight substantially altered RWLs estimated from our regression equations. For improved estimation of the risk of injury, more accurate failure criteria for spinal segments are essential. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
  6. Keywords:
  7. Lifting analysis tools ; Musculoskeletal modeling ; Spinal loads ; Anthropometry ; Biomechanics ; Health risks ; Loads (forces) ; Materials handling ; Occupational risks ; Risk assessment ; Safety engineering ; Statistics ; In-vivo measurement ; Intradiscal pressures ; Manual material handling ; Musculoskeletal model ; National institute for occupational safety and healths ; Regression equation ; Spinal compression ; Standard deviation ; Risk perception ; Article ; Asymmetric lifting task ; Backache ; Body weight ; Comparative study ; In vivo study ; Injury ; Intervertebral disk ; Lifting equation ; Mathematical model ; Multiple regression ; Musculoskeletal system parameters ; Physical activity ; Priority journal ; Qualitative analysis ; Recommended weight limit ; Risk factor ; Shear stress ; Spinal cord compression ; Spinal load ; Symmetric lifting task
  8. Source: Journal of Biomechanics ; Volume 112 , 2020
  9. URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021929020304474