Effects of Different Transfer Direction of Manual Material Handling on Trunk and Lower Extremity Muscles

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show the effects of different transfer directions of manual material handling on strain in trunk and lower extremity muscles. [Subjects] Fourteen workers were recruited. [Methods] The EMG activities of the L4 erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and biceps femoris muscles were measured under three manual material handling conditions: conditions 1, 2, and 3. [Results] The EMG activities of the left erector spinee and left biceps femoris muscles significantly increased in the order of conditions 2<3<1. The EMG activities of the right erector spinae and right biceps femoris muscles significantly increased in the order of conditions 2<3<1. [Conclusion] We suggest that industrial workers can more effectively transfer to the non dominant direction during manual material handling as a way to prevent the occurrence of low back pain.