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Volume 12, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2025)                   Iran J Ergon 2025, 12(4): 324-335 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.IUMS.REC.1394.9211342215


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Shahbazi M, Sarrafzadeh J, Akhlaghi S, Negahban H. The Impact of Eccentric Contraction Caused by Lowering the Load from Different Heights on Postural Control Strategies in Low Back Pain Patients and Healthy People. Iran J Ergon 2025; 12 (4) :324-335
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1065-en.html
1- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Shahbazim2@mums.ac.ir
2- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract:   (3096 Views)
Objectives: Balance control is a crucial issue in patients with low back pain. Despite existing studies, the mechanism of balance control in patients with low back pain, especially under different loading conditions at various heights, remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of height on balance during loading.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 54 low back pain patients and 20 healthy male individuals participated. Balance control was assessed using a force plate system. The participants were randomly instructed to lower the load from above the head to waist level and from waist level to the ground. The load was approximately 10% of the participants' body weight. The P value was established 5% level of significance.
Results: The results showed that during lifting from above the head to waist level and from waist level to the ground, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in variables such as medial-lateral and anterior-posterior velocity, total mean velocity, and center of pressure displacement in the anterior-posterior direction between the two groups. Intra-group comparisons of variables in healthy individuals and low back pain patients indicated significant differences (P<0.05) in all variables except anterior-posterior velocity in healthy individuals. Both groups exhibited increased postural sway while lowering at a lower height.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that both healthy individuals and low back pain patients display less balance when loading at a lower height with a flexed lumbar spine, indicating that considering these findings could contribute to rehabilitation, determining occupational conditions, and preventing workplace-related accidents.
Full-Text [PDF 1092 kb]   (346 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Musculoskeletal Disorders
Received: 2025/01/16 | Accepted: 2025/02/28 | ePublished: 2025/02/28

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