An investigation of obesity-related differences in lifting strategy

The high prevalence of obesity in the workplace has been associated with increased rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In the general population, joint loading and kinematics are commonly cited risk factors of overexertion injuries. Recent studies on the influence of obesity have found initial evidence of elevated low back joint loading and lifting acceleration, however the link between obesity and lifting kinematics remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of obesity on lifting strategies during a standardized lifting task of extended duration. Seven obese and seven non-obese participants performed repetitive lifts from floor to knuckle height four times per minute for one hour. Lifting strategy was quantified in terms of acceptable weights of lift, trunk posture, and trunk acceleration. Results of this pilot investigation show that both obese and non-obese individuals adopted similar strategies, and that these strategies remained consistent over the extended task. Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms of obesity-related increases in the incidence of overexertion injuries.