An electromyographic analysis of seated and standing lifting tasks

The objective of this project was to compare the muscular effort exerted during manual lifting tasks performed in standing versus seated posture. Six male undergraduate and graduate students performed 12 different static and dynamic lifts in both sitting and standing positions. During each effort electromyographic (EMG) data were collected on four muscles groups (low back, upper back, shoulder, and abdominals). Four contractions were designed to elicit maximum muscular effort in the four groups being monitored. The remaining data were then expressed as a percentage of maximum EMG. Each subject performed the following: maximum static lift when sitting; maximum static lift when standing; sitting, static lift with 15.9 kg; standing, static lift with 15.9 kg; dynamic sit-forward lift with 15.9 kg, dynamic stand-forward lift with 15.9 kg, dynamic sit-twist with 15.9 kg, dynamic stand-vertical lift with 15.9 kg. Each of the lifts was performed with a wooden tray with slotted handles. Root mean square (RMS) values of the EMG data were calculated for three second periods. EMG activity in the low back, upper back, and shoulder was greater during sitting lifting than during standing lifting. The sit-twist lift resulted in the highest EMG in the abdominal muscles. Dynamic lifts resulted in more muscle activity than did static lifts. From these data it was concluded that sitting-lifting results in greater stress in the low back, upper back, and shoulders than does lifting while standing.