Chanon Kongkamol, Naris Charoenporn, Angoon Sungkhapong, and Patcharee Kooncumchoo

DOI: 10.14456/sjst-psu.2020.165

pp. 1272 - 1278

Abstract

Loads on the spine (LOS) play an important role in back injuries. Numerous studies have focused only on one lifter
who carried a single object. This current study aimed to classify lifting strategies using the pelvic angle at the beginning of the lift
and compare LOS between the freestyle and recommended lifting methods to lift a patient off the floor (50 kg) using a stretcher
with two lifters. Each pair of 88 participants were asked to lift a stretcher off the floor with the freestyle and recommended lifting
methods. The results showed that the pelvic angle can be divided into four types and LOS was high in types III and IV. This
study suggests that LOS of the lifter would decrease by performing at least a semi-squat posture and an anterior pelvic tilt of
10‒20 degrees.