Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate between movement patterns of trunk extension from full unloaded flexion and lifting techniques, which could provide valuable information to physical therapists, doctors of chiropractic, and other manual therapists.

Methods: A within-participant study design was used. Whole-body kinematic and kinetic data during lifting and full trunk flexion were collected from 16 healthy male participants using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system (Vicon Motion Systems). To evaluate the relationships of joint movement between lifting and full trunk flexion, Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.

Results: There was no significant correlation between the amount of change in the lumbar extension angle during the first half of the lifting trials and lumbar movement during unloaded trunk flexion and extension. However, the amount of change in the lumbar extension angle during lifting was significantly negatively correlated with hip movement during unloaded trunk flexion and extension (P < .05).

Conclusions: The findings that the maximum hip flexion angle during full trunk flexion had a greater influence on kinematics of lumbar–hip complex during lifting provides new insight into human movement during lifting. All study participants were healthy men; thus, findings are limited to this group.

Author keywords: Low Back Pain; Physical Therapist Assistants; Spine; Lifting

Author affiliations:  YO, TT, KT, TS, KS: Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; MA: Center for Advanced Practice and Research of Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; SK: Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

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