Abstract
This study focused on forward-bending postures that are frequently assumed during nursing work and aimed to experimentally evaluate how a lumbar support belt affects the working posture and physical load. In the experiment, conducted with 10 male participants, four experimental conditions were set up, and two lumbar support belt conditions (with-belt and without-belt) and two work heights (30% and 40% of the body height) were selected. Working postures were estimated using a three-dimensional attitude measurement sensor. The trunk was split into chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Muscle activities were measured by electromyography. Subjective complaints were recorded using a questionnaire survey. It was proved that the lumbar support belt combined the abdomen and pelvis, which restricted abdomen excursion. It was found that the trunk was bent forward by chest flexion in the with-belt condition, and by abdomen flexion in the without-belt condition. Consequently, the lumbar support belt reduced the compression force on the lumbar disc in forward-bending posture. Subjective complaints of back were also reduced in the with-belt condition, indicating improved easiness of work.
