Factors affecting spine loading in a box lifting task: A digital human modelling study

This paper presents a digital human modelling (DHM) study of a box-lifting task considering human physical characteristics (i.e., gender and percentile) and task requirements (i.e., posture and force). Two response variables are considered: compression force on L4/L5 and the tension on right/left Latissimus Dorsi muscle. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyse the data. Results showed that lower back compression force is positively correlated with Latissimus Dorsi muscle tension (r = 0.94). Moreover, the 95th percentile male in standing position experienced the highest compression force on the lower back; however, both males and females had similar muscle tension.