A Comparison of Intraabdominal Pressure Increases, Hip Torque, and Lumbar Vertebral Compression in Different Lifting Techniques

Abstract

Intraabdominal pressure (IAP), movements of the body in the sagittal plane, and the forces applied to the load were recorded while 10 male subjects lifted or lowered a 15-kg box using six different lifting techniques and two lowering techniques. IAP data were compared with calculated peak values of lifting velocity, lumbosacral compression and hip torque, and with the integral of lumbosacral compression over time. No consistent relationship between IAP increases and any one of these values emerged. The variation in peak IAPs was considerable. Nonetheless, there were significant differences in IAP between different lifting and lowering techniques. IAP was, in general, less when the trunk was flexed for lifting and lowering than when it was used in a posture nearer to the vertical.