Quantifying the effects of experience on motor behaviors during simulated occupational tasks

Individual differences in work methods may be related to the risk of injury during manual material handling tasks, yet existing evidence comparing experienced workers and novices is mixed. This study assessed torso kinematics and kinetics among six experienced workers and six novices during repetitive lifts/lowers under different task configurations (symmetric vs. asymmetric and lift vs. lower). Several important potential confounding effects were controlled. Peak kinematic and kinetic measures were typically higher among experienced workers and suggestive of exposure to higher levels of lowback injury risk, though overall exposure levels were moderate. Work methods used by experienced workers were modified between task conditions, whereas novice behaviors were more consistent. Control of torso kinematics/kinetics may thus not be a primary factor in determining experienced worker's work methods, and future investigation is needed to establish if, or under what conditions, these methods are protective and/or should be the basis for interventions including training.