Handle positions and angles in a dynamic lifting task Part 2. Psychophysical measures and heart rate

Abstract

This paper continues the results of the experiment on handle positions and angles in lifting described in Part 1. Heart rate rated perceived exertion, and body-part discomfort were measured on 30 subjects lifting boxes from floor to waist, waist to shoulder and floor to shoulder. Movement distance had a large effect on all measures. A handle angle of 70° between box and horizontal was found better than an angle of 35°. Handle position differences were minimal. The design for cut-out handles on a box, presented in Part 1, was confirmed by these results.