AN INVESTIGATION OF RESPIRATION WHILE WEARING BACK BELTS

The research was conducted to evaluate the frequency of respiration du ring a repetitive lifting task when abdominal compression occurs from wearing a back belt. Three back belts were evaluated in this study: a nylon back belt, an inflatable back belt and an elastic vest, Analysis of the data revealed that the frequency of respiration increased whil e wearing the back belts at rest and while performing a repetitive lif ting task. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of re spiration was found while wearing the nylon back belt during the lifti ng task. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.