Effects of different weights and lifting postures on balance control following repetitive lifting tasks in construction workers

Antwi-Afari, M.F. and Li, Heng and Edwards, D.J. and Parn, Erika and Seo, JoonOh and Wong, Arnold (2017) Effects of different weights and lifting postures on balance control following repetitive lifting tasks in construction workers. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 35 (3). ISSN 2398-4708

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Abstract

Purpose
Repetitive lifting tasks have detrimental effects upon balance control and may contribute toward fall injuries, yet despite this causal linkage, risk factors involved remain elusive. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of different weights and lifting postures on balance control using simulated repetitive lifting tasks.

Design/methodology/approach
In total, 20 healthy male participants underwent balance control assessments before and immediately after a fatiguing repetitive lifting tasks using three different weights in a stoop (ten participants) or a squat (ten participants) lifting posture. Balance control assessments required participants to stand still on a force plate with or without a foam (which simulated an unstable surface) while center of pressure (CoP) displacement parameters on the force plate was measured.

Findings
Results reveal that: increased weight (but not lifting posture) significantly increases CoP parameters; stoop and squat lifting postures performed until subjective fatigue induce a similar increase in CoP parameters; and fatigue adversely effected the participant’s balance control on an unstable surface vis-à-vis a stable surface. Findings suggest that repetitive lifting of heavier weights would significantly jeopardize individuals’ balance control on unstable supporting surfaces, which may heighten the risk of falls.

Originality/value
This research offers an entirely new and novel approach to measuring the impact that different lifting weights and postures may have upon worker stability and consequential fall incidents that may arise.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-05-2017-0025
Dates:	Date Event August 2017 Published 21 July 2017 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Falls, Fatigue, Weight, Balance control, Lifting posture
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-02 - building CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-04 - planning (urban, rural and regional)
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Ian Mcdonald
Date Deposited:	15 Sep 2017 09:01
Last Modified:	22 Mar 2023 12:15
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5153

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