The back compressive forces during maximal push-pull activities in the sagittal plane

Ten normal young male and ten normal young female subjects (each group with a mean age of 21.1 years) performed isometric and isokinetic (50 cm per second) push and pull activity at 35 cm, 100 cm and 150 cm heights. The subjects were placed on a specially designed subject-stabilizing-platform to stabilize their lower extremities. Horizontal push-pull forces were exerted through a friction-reduced rod and sleeve assembly attached to the modified Static Dynamic Strength Tester. The strength measured by a SM 500 load cell was fed to an IBM XT through an A to D converter. The postural records were made on a videotape. The posture and strength were synchronized through an external light signal. The strength for pull activities was higher than the corresponding push activities (p < 0.01). The isometric strengths were significantly higher than the isokinetic strengths (p < 0.01). Though the push strengths were significantly lower than the pull strength, the low-back compressive forces for the push activities were 129% to 627% of the corresponding pull conditions. It is concluded that the push activities are more hazardous due to the higher magnitude of compressive load and their faster contribution to the threshold level of cumulative load leading to the precipitation of injuries.