Adapted Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation for determining Lifting capacity

Weight of the load and its characteristics is considered to be the important risk factor for low back disorders (LBD) among manual materials handlers. Determining weight of the load and the amount of load a person can lift is important in minimizing the incidence of LBD. Among various methods like isometric, isoinertial and isokinetic, isoinertial approach of lifting evaluation is best as it is safe, inexpensive, simple and dynamically represents real world lifting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of adapted progressive isoinertial lifting evaluation (PILE) for determining maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL). This experimental study was conducted among 30 adult male participants recruited from a university community. Adaptation was done to the box dimensions and the weights used for PILE. The subjects were instructed to perform the PILE protocol using adapted box and weights using free lifting technique at two vertical distances and lifting capacity was determined. Heart rate was monitored throughout the trial and the participants were asked to rate their discomfort in a six point likert scale. All the participants were comfortable in performing adapted PILE and no untoward incident was noticed during the procedure. It may be feasible to adapt PILE for determining lifting capacity.