Maximal and sub-maximal functional lifting performance at different platform heights

Abstract

Introducing valid physical employment tests requires identifying and developing a small number of practical tests that provide broad coverage of physical performance across the full range of job tasks. This study investigated discrete lifting performance across various platform heights reflective of common military lifting tasks. Sixteen Australian Army personnel performed a discrete lifting assessment to maximal lifting capacity (MLC) and maximal acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) at four platform heights between 1.30 and 1.70 m. There were strong correlations between platform height and normalised lifting performance for MLC (R² = 0.76 ± 0.18, p < 0.05) and MAWL (R² = 0.73 ± 0.21, p < 0.05). The developed relationship allowed prediction of lifting capacity at one platform height based on lifting capacity at any of the three other heights, with a standard error of < 4.5 kg and < 2.0 kg for MLC and MAWL, respectively.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: Physical employment tests must be both practical and reflective of job task demands. This study illustrates the potential for the implementation of a single discrete lifting assessment to predict performance across numerous occupational lifting heights.

Keywords::

• lifting capacity
• maximal acceptable weight of lift
• validity
• physical employment testing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Email: [email protected]

^3. Email: [email protected]