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Related Experiment Videos

Loads on spinal tissues during simultaneous lifting and ventilatory challenge

S M McGill1, M T Sharratt, J P Seguin

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Ergonomics
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Physiologically demanding tasks, like heavy lifting and intense breathing, can increase low back compressive loading. This highlights potential risks for workers and the need for ergonomic considerations.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Occupational Health
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Torso muscles are crucial for low back stabilization and ventilation.
  • Workplace tasks often combine physical exertion with respiratory demands, such as heavy lifting during snow shoveling.
  • Elevated breathing may potentially compromise the safety of tissues reliant on continuous muscle support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of load challenges and breathing challenges on torso muscle activity and low back loading.
  • To determine if altered breathing patterns compromise spinal stabilization mechanisms.
  • To quantify the additional compressive loading on the low back during combined tasks.

Main Methods:

  • Eight healthy males performed dynamic lifting and isometric holds with heavy loads (73-95 kg) while breathing a 10% CO2 gas mixture.

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  • Anatomically detailed dynamic torso models were used to calculate individual tissue forces.
  • Inputs included myoelectric signals, intra-abdominal pressure, ventilation rate, and spine kinematics.

    • Main Results:

    • With large hand-held loads, subjects primarily used trunk muscles for stabilization, with the diaphragm handling increased airflow.
    • Two out of eight subjects exhibited entrainment of abdominal muscle activity to breathing during combined moderate low back demands and high ventilation rates.
    • This entrainment resulted in additional cyclic low back compressive loading of approximately 1000 N.

    Conclusions:

    • Combined physical and respiratory challenges can lead to significant, potentially unsafe, increases in low back loading.
    • Ergonomists must consider the synergistic effects of external loads, postural demands, and ventilation requirements in task design.
    • Further research is needed to understand individual variability in response to these combined stressors.