Do manual workers with lifting-related LBP show different trunk muscle activity compared to manual workers with no history of LBP during repeated lifting?

Key Points

1. There were no group-level differences in trunk muscle activity during a lifting task between manual workers with and without a history of lifting-related LBP.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Workplace lifting guidelines commonly recommend that workers lift in a squat-like posture while bracing the trunk muscles. There is limited evidence that this method protects against back pain. Prior research has shown conflicting results on whether people with low back pain (LBP) lift with different trunk muscle activity than people without back pain.

This study investigated whether manual workers with lifting-related LBP show different trunk muscle activity during a repeated lifting task compared to workers without a history of LBP. It also examined whether muscle activity in those with LBP is associated with pain or perceived fatigue across the task.

Prior research has shown conflicting results on whether people with low back pain lift with different trunk muscle activity than people without back pain.

Clinicians should not apply prescriptive one-size-fits-all rules about how to lift, but should explore different lifting methods to determine which are preferable for the individual.

METHODS

• This was a cross-sectional observational study and a secondary analysis of previously published data. 21 manual workers with lifting-related LBP and 16 without a history of LBP were recruited via convenience sampling. Participants worked at least 20 hours per week

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