Effects of work experience on fatigue-induced biomechanical changes during repetitive asymmetric lifts/lowers

Abstract

Repetitive lifting/lowering is associated with an increased risk of work-related low back disorders (WRLBDs), and fatigue may exacerbate such risk. Work methods used by experienced workers are potential models for developing worker training to reduce WRLBDs, though whether experience modifies the effects of fatigue on WRLBD risk is largely unknown. Here, six novices and six experienced workers completed 185 cycles of repetitive, asymmetric lifts/lowers. Physical demands, whole-body balance and torso movement stability were assessed using torso kinematics/kinetics, linear/angular momenta and Lyapunov exponents, respectively. Several fatigue-induced changes in movement strategies were evident. Novices decreased and experienced workers increased peak lumbar moments post-fatigue, suggesting lower WRLBD risks among the former in terms of torso kinetics. Other than lumbar moments, though, fatigue substantially reduced group-level differences in torso twisting velocities and accelerations. Post-fatigue movement strategies of experienced workers thus did not appear to be advantageous in terms of WRLBD risk. Practitioner Summary: Fatigue induced changes in movement strategies during a repetitive, asymmetric lifting/lowering task. Novices and experienced workers adapted to fatigue differently, with diminished post-fatigue differences in lifting strategies. Regarding work-related low back disorder risks, the post-fatigue movement strategies of experienced workers did not appear superior to those of novices.