Muscular and centre of pressure response to sudden release of load in symmetric and asymmetric stoop lifting tasks

Sudden changes in load during asymmetric lifting may be associated with a particularly high risk of loss of balance and spinal injury. Centre of pressure (COP) motions and electromyographic responses of trunk and lower limb muscles were studied in 10 normal male volunteers during sudden release of 20, 40, 60 and 80 N stoop lifting loads in symmetric and asymmetric postures. Similar overall COP responses and muscular response strategies to sudden release of load were seen in both postures, although the asymmetric posture showed a larger medio-lateral COP displacements and greater co-contraction asymmetries. While sudden release of load in asymmetric stoop lifting does not seem to involve a greater risk of fall than symmetric lifting, the muscular response results in more complex and asymmetric loading of the trunk, indicating greater localised segmental loading and therefore increased risk of tissue injury.