Effects of lifting techniques on energy expenditure: a preliminary investigation

A preliminary study of the effects of different lifting techniques (mechanical lift, rocking axillary, self-lift, shoulder-assist, and straight-pull) was conducted. Fourteen female subjects participated. Measures of oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded at six one-minute intervals during baseline and lift phases. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted on each measure for each phase using a two-factor repeated factor. In the baseline phase, no significant differences were obtained for the lift factor. The time factor yielded significant main effects for oxygen consumption, p less than .0001, and heart rate, p less than .0001. These effects were associated with one and two minutes following the subject's return to bed. In the lift phase, significant main effects were obtained for lift and time factors on oxygen consumption, p less than .0005 and p less than .0001. Significant main effects were obtained for the time factor on heart rate, p less than .0001, respiratory rate, p less than .0006, and systolic blood pressure, p less than .0045. Finally, a significant main effect was noted for the lift factor on diastolic blood pressure, p less than .022. These findings suggest that the mechanical lift is the most taxing on the person being lifted.