The effect of wearing jeans on maximum static lifting strength for men and women at various exertion heights

Abstract

This study collected maximum static lifting strength (MSLS) data from 13 males and 13 females at an exertion height of 10–100 cm above the floor (in 10-cm increments) in wearing athletic shorts and wearing jeans conditions. Knee angles were also examined when participants performed the MSLS tasks. Results showed that gender, pant type and exertion height significantly affected participants’ MSLS and corresponding knee angle. The effect of wearing jeans primarily occurred at 10–40 cm; meanwhile, male participants tended to stoop while exerting force. This substantially decreased their MSLS (55 N). For female participants in this exertion height range, no significant difference was found in knee angles; accordingly, wearing jeans only slightly affected their MSLS. In summary, wearing jeans had a noticeable effect on the MSLS of male participants, who should be particularly careful when performing lifting tasks at a height of less than 50 cm above the floor.

Keywords:

• manual lifting
• jeans
• maximum static lifting strength
• lifting posture
• exertion height

Acknowledgement

This study was partially supported by funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan. This funding is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Yi-Lang Chen http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1292-0758

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan [grant number MOST104-2815-C-131-010-E].