Which technique reduces back injury when lifting a load?

Which technique reduces back injury when lifting a load?

• A. Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, hold the load close to the body, and avoid twisting
• B. Lift with a rounded back to maximize motion
• C. Keep the feet together and twist hips
• D. Quick jerking motions to move weight

Answer: (A)

Back injury risk while lifting is minimized by using leg strength, keeping the spine in a neutral position, and keeping the load close to the body. Bending at the knees engages the large leg muscles to lift the weight, rather than loading the spine. This keeps the torso relatively upright and reduces the lever arm—the distance from the spine to the load—so there’s less twisting force and shear on the lower back. Holding the load close shortens the moment arm, meaning the spine doesn’t have to resist as much torque. Moving with the feet and hips rather than twisting the torso avoids rotational stresses that can injure spinal structures. Quick jerks create high, sudden forces that exceed tissue tolerance and increase injury risk. The other ideas miss these protections: lifting with a rounded back pushes the spine into a flexed, vulnerable position and raises intradiscal pressure; keeping feet together and twisting concentrates torsional loads on the back; and jerky motions generate dangerous spikes in force.

Back injury risk while lifting is minimized by using leg strength, keeping the spine in a neutral position, and keeping the load close to the body. Bending at the knees engages the large leg muscles to lift the weight, rather than loading the spine. This keeps the torso relatively upright and reduces the lever arm—the distance from the spine to the load—so there’s less twisting force and shear on the lower back. Holding the load close shortens the moment arm, meaning the spine doesn’t have to resist as much torque. Moving with the feet and hips rather than twisting the torso avoids rotational stresses that can injure spinal structures. Quick jerks create high, sudden forces that exceed tissue tolerance and increase injury risk.

The other ideas miss these protections: lifting with a rounded back pushes the spine into a flexed, vulnerable position and raises intradiscal pressure; keeping feet together and twisting concentrates torsional loads on the back; and jerky motions generate dangerous spikes in force.