The Effects of a Combined Hip Flexion and Pelvis Movement Intervention on Postural Stability, Spinal Loading and Lumbar Flexion When Reaching and Lifting

摘要

Poor balance (instability) and flexing the lumbar spine towards end range of motion are risk factors associated with low back injury. One method used by educators to improve stability and lumbar posture when reaching and lifting is to promote hip flexion and posterior movement of the pelvis.This study investigated the effects of a short-term training intervention combining hip flexion and pelvis movements on postural stability, lumbar flexion and the bending moment on the spine when reaching to lift up an object. Ten healthy male participants performed the lifting task using: (1) self-selected method; (2) the taught intervention; and (3) a preferred lifting technique. Displacement of the centre of mass and lumbar flexion were significantly reduced when using the taught and preferred lifting techniques, compared to the self-selected technique (P < 0.05). In contrast, the bending moment was significantly higher for the taught intervention compared to the other two methods (P < 0.05).