Abstract
A. device was designed and constructed which maps the configuration of the vertebral column. It was used to record changes in spinal configuration and general posture of a group of female subjects engaged in the holding of loads of different weights and bulk/weight ratios. This new apparatus provides a potentially useful procedure of the simple measurement of postural reaction to physical work stress during manual materials handling in industrial practice. In the course of the pilot study, measurement procedures were validated and standardized; the effects of body type, load bulk, and load weight on postural reaction are discussed.