Large Scale Central

Straight back, bent knees lifting advice is wrong, study finds

General Discussion
#1

We do sometimes do some heavy lifting in this hobby.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/17/straight-back-bent-knees-advice-wrong-study-finds/

A new study argues that while most people instinctively believe lifting with a straight back is common sense, “round-back lifting” is more efficient and no more hazardous.

Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, it points to research conducted on forestry workers which found that those who stooped to pick up their loads expended less energy than those who squatted.

The paper also argues there is “no significant difference” in spinal loads and compression forces between the two postures.

Despite the lack of evidence supporting a straight-back lifting technique, it is commonly believed to be the safest method and is taught to nearly every employee in the country upon joining a new company.

#2

Balderdash! I carry a 16% disability in my lower back, due to rolling my back, when the full size anvil met my knees!(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-money-mouth.gif) Boing!

#3

I use a different approach … I call my brother in law !

#4

Lift with your legs they said but I never was any good a grasping things with my feet !

#5

Well, when one is trying to lift something that weighs a lot more then what they should be lifting, I am not sure either method would avoid injury. In other words, we should know our limits.

#6

David Maynard said:

Well, when one is trying to lift something that weighs a lot more then what they should be lifting, I am not sure either method would avoid injury. In other words, we should know our limits.

that is like all these nice “too-late-lamps” on the dashboards of our cars. when your back tells you that you passed your limit, the damage is already done.

#7

So very true! I tell everyone that tries or is going to lift heavy heavy stuff to get help… It’s Not worth the pride to lose your back or blow out a disk to be a He-Man. (2) Been there done that and it isn’t no fun! Now all hobbled up from it.

#8

I can no longer lift heavy objects as my Knee replacement Doctor gave me a 50 pound carrying limit.

So I asked if I lost 50 pounds could I now carry 100 pounds. Got a blank stare!!!(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

#9

Dan Pierce said:

I can no longer lift heavy objects as my Knee replacement Doctor gave me a 50 pound carrying limit.

So I asked if I lost 50 pounds could I now carry 100 pounds. Got a blank stare!!!(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

I like that!

#10

I have learned to ask for help but it is too late for this old back!

#11

To those with 20/20 hindsight, I had a helper, we couldn’t lift it together off the tailgate. I said; “I’ll pick it up, you help me set it down, on the dolly.” My boss, gadfly Tom and my helper all said; "You can’t pick it up. I did, but my helper froze … see way above.

#12

David Maynard said:

In other words, we should know our limits.

But then there’s that thing where your body makes a random unannounced change from what your limit was 90 seconds ago.
And had been for the previous couple decades.

Like mine did at work at F. W. Woolworth in early 1990s.

#13

When I was a young man working in a paper mill, I was taught to lift with my legs not my back. Motorcyclists are also taught to lift with their legs not their back if they have to right their bike.

Last year on a nice summer day ride I got stung on the neck by a bee while riding. I pulled over on a sandy shoulder and got stung in the arm pit before I could get my leather jacket off. In my haste to get the jacket and T-shirt off I forgot to kick the side stand down. My foot slipped and the bike pitched sideways. I was able to set it down gently, but now I had a 560 pound motorcycle lying on a slope at the side of the road. I was 71 years old at that time.

I walked down the slope. Put my butt against the seat and hands on the handle bar and seat rail as taught. I have lifted heavier motorcycles using this technique. But this time my feet just slipped in the sand when I pushed with my legs.

I was on a rural road in cottage country in the middle of the week. I waited but no cars came by. So I had to do it the wrong way. On the road I grabbed the seat rail and handle bar and pull with my arms and back. The air turned blue, but I finally got the bike on its wheels after a lot of pulling, cursing and straining.

The next day my back was killing me. It took a couple of weeks of physiotherapy and a round of acupuncture to correct it. So I am a firm believer of using your legs not your back to lift heavy objects.

#14

Forrest Scott Wood said:

We do sometimes do some heavy lifting in this hobby.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/17/straight-back-bent-knees-advice-wrong-study-finds/

A new study argues that while most people instinctively believe lifting with a straight back is common sense, “round-back lifting” is more efficient and no more hazardous.

Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, it points to research conducted on forestry workers which found that those who stooped to pick up their loads expended less energy than those who squatted.

The paper also argues there is “no significant difference” in spinal loads and compression forces between the two postures.

Despite the lack of evidence supporting a straight-back lifting technique, it is commonly believed to be the safest method and is taught to nearly every employee in the country upon joining a new company.

Wait 6 months and a new study will argue the exact opposite if you live your life by the results of surveys you will either

a. Live foreveror

b. die tomorrow