Affiliations: Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Health Sciences,
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Michael Cole, Biomechanics
Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, Underdale Campus, Holbrooks Road,
Adelaide, SA 5032, Australia. Tel.: +61 8 83026953; Fax: +61 8 83026658
Abstract: The incidence of low back pain has continued to increase in modern
society, despite the considerable amount of scientific research that has aimed
to isolate its exact aetiology. Although low back pain is still largely
idiopathic, research has identified over one hundred risk factors for the
condition. Of these risk factors, manual material handling tasks are perhaps
the most widely explored within the biomechanical literature, as these tasks
have been associated with high mechanical stresses on the lower back. Numerous
technique-related variables have been addressed by researchers, whilst the
influence of intra-abdominal pressure has also been considered. In addition to
this, the implications of variations in the size and structural composition of
the load have also been assessed. However, low back pain continues to pose a
significant threat to the financial stability and happiness of millions of
people worldwide. In addition, a number of functional work capacity assessment
tests use lifting as a method for assessment of return to work condition. Many
of these tests are not standardised and do not consider the implications of low
back loading. Therefore new research attempts in this area are justified and
should aim to identify the extent of the association that exists between the
known risk factors and the incidence of low back pain.
Keywords: low back pain, lifting, manual material handling, epidemic, cause
