FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR PREDICTION OF LIFTING CAPACITY

Objective. This study investigated the ability to predict maximal func tional lifting capacity from peak isometric lumbar extension torque an d submaximal lifting mechanics. Methods. Peak isometric lumbar extensi on torques were measured on 26 healthy men and women, ages 18 to 39 ye ars. In addition, their lifting mechanics were evaluated while they li fted a submaximal load. Each subject's maximal lifting capacity (kg) t hen was predicted from the peak torque and submaximal kinetic analysis using a linear regression model. Results. Mean values for the predict ed and actual maximum weight the subjects lifted were not significantl y different (50.3 +/- 15.6 kg and 48.5 +/- 17.0 kg, respectively, P gr eater-than-or-equal-to 0.05). The correlation between predicted and cr iterion values was high (r = 0.96), and the total error of the predict ion was 5.1 kg, which represented 10.5% of the actual maximum value. C onclusions. This multi-faceted functional assessment model involving b iomechanical analysis of a submaximal lift and maximal isometric lumba r extension strength accurately predicted a subject's maximum function al lifting capacity.