Mission Statement
Our goal is to improve the physical interaction between workers, their work, and the work environment through the study of the musculoskeletal system's response to work activities. In so doing our focus continues to be the study of body's biomechanical response to a variety of occupational tasks, potential workplace interventions, and the development of models predictive of back injury development and recovery.
Faculty & Staff
Current Research
The LiftTrainer is a behaviorally oriented approach to training lifting techniques. By using a combination of biofeedback, biomechanical analysis tools, and one on one coaching, the LiftTrainer protocol guide individuals towards lifting behaviors that lower the forward bending, lateral bending, and twisting moments ("stresses") acting on the spine while maintaining desired productively levels.
RPSLMC Nursing bed transfer
Currently, we are working with Rush University's Department of Nursing to measure
the stresses exerted on the nurse's spine during patient transfers from hospital bed to
wheelchair. Without reengineering the task itself, we hope additionally to train current
nursing students to perform this routine task in a way that mimimizes their own risk of
back injuries.
Our efforts with the United Auto Workers and General Motors have been focused on evaluating the recovery process from occupationally related low back disorders. In so doing we have evaluated measures of health outcomes and alternative approaches to classifying job low back disorder risk. We are currently performing a longitudinal study of over 300 employees who have experienced work-related back injury.
Understanding how the co-contraction of the trunk muscles changes as a function of posture, and variations in the direction and magnitude of applied bending moments is necessary when attempting to quantify and understand the spine loading that occurs during asymmetric lifting activities.
We have tested several hypotheses regarding the biomechanical effectiveness of lifting belts. These include changes in psychophysically determined lifting strength, trunk motions, and trunk stiffness during pulling tasks and sudden loading events.
Studies have been performed looking into the ergonomic issues encountered in the performance of emergency rescue tasks, the use of handtools in underground mines, and modifications in beverage delivery processes.
We have performed studies aimed at furthering our understanding of the loads
on the spine during lifting and how they change with variations of the
lifting tasks performed.
The body's response to a sudden loading event, especially when unanticipated, may be key to understanding the injury initiation process and how such injuries can be prevented.
Steve Lavender - Curriculum Vitae
Questions or comments about this website should be directed
to Eric Lorenz
