Functional assessment for prediction of lifting capacity

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the ability to predict maximal functional lifting capacity from peak isometric lumbar extension torque and submaximal lifting mechanics.

Methods: Peak isometric lumbar extension torques were measured on 26 healthy men and women, ages 18 to 39 years. In addition, their lifting mechanics were evaluated while they lifted a submaximal load. Each subject's maximal lifting capacity (kg) then was predicted from the peak torque and submaximal kinetic analysis using a linear regression model.

Results: Mean values for the predicted and actual maximum weight the subjects lifted were not significantly different (50.3 +/- 15.6 kg and 48.5 +/- 17.0 kg, respectively, P > or = 0.05). The correlation between predicted and criterion values was high (r = 0.96), and the total error of the prediction was 5.1 kg, which represented 10.5% of the actual maximum value.

Conclusions: This multi-faceted functional assessment model involving biomechanical analysis of a submaximal lift and maximal isometric lumbar extension strength accurately predicted a subject's maximum functional lifting capacity.