Optimal foot-position of caregiver based on muscle activity of lower back and lower limb while providing sit-to-stand support.
Kodai Kitagawa, Takayuki Nagasaki, Sota Nakano and 3 others
PMID 32884176WHAT IT FOUND
Widening the stance helped the front leg do the work but shifted load to the back muscles.
A moderate stance used the front leg effectively without increasing back strain. These findings come from five young men lifting a 10 kg doll, not actual patients.
Key findings
01A very wide stance increased activity in the erector spinae muscles, suggesting higher load on the lower back.
02A moderate stance activated the front leg muscles to assist the lift without increasing erector spinae activity.
03The rear leg did not show increased muscle activity across different foot positions, meaning the load was not shared evenly between both legs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study used only five young, healthy male participants with no caregiving experience. The participants lifted a 10 kg doll instead of an actual patient, which does not account for patient movement or higher weights. The sample size was too small for robust statistical analysis. The study did not include female, older, or experienced caregivers, who may have different biomechanics.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest, and the study received no external funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not apply this optimal foot position to patients or actual caregiving situations. The findings are based on five young men lifting a 10 kg doll, and the authors note that heavier weights or different patient characteristics could change the optimal stance.