Foot placement strategy in pushing and pulling

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lee, Tzu-Hsien

Affiliations: Department of Industrial Management and Information, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan. E-mail: thlee@stust.edu.tw

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Pushing and pulling tasks are very common in daily and industrial workplaces. They are one major source of musculoskeletal complaints. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine the foot placement strategy while pushing and pulling. PARTICIPANTS:Thirteen young males and ten young females were recruited as participants. METHODS:A two (pushing and pulling) by four (48 cm, 84 cm, 120 cm, and 156 cm) factorial design was used. RESULTS:Exertion direction and exertion height significantly affected foot placement strategy. Pushing task needed more anteroposterior space than pulling task. The percentages of female/male for trailing foot position ranged from 77% to 90% (pushing) and from 80% to 93% (pulling) across the exertion heights. CONCLUSION:Practitioners should provide an anteroposterior space approximately to 70% body stature for workers to exert their maximum pulling and pushing strengths.

Keywords: Force exertion, capability, workplace design

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172671

Journal: Work, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 243-247, 2018