Comparison of Dose Models for the Assessment of Spinal Load and Implications for the Calculation of Cumulative Loading

In vitro study design derived from an in vivo lifting task

“…Given the nature of most occupational settings, individuals are usually exposed to multiple work-related risk factors, and from an ergonomics perspective, the question of the relative importance of various risk factors of work-related exposure is a very relevant question [14]. In this work, we propose cumulative loading doses that are subsequently used [14,15] to study the change of the mechanical spinal tissue properties experimentally in the context of ergonomics.…”

“…Given the nature of most occupational settings, individuals are usually exposed to multiple work-related risk factors, and from an ergonomics perspective, the question of the relative importance of various risk factors of work-related exposure is a very relevant question [14]. In this work, we propose cumulative loading doses that are subsequently used [14,15] to study the change of the mechanical spinal tissue properties experimentally in the context of ergonomics. However, there is currently no standardized method for calculating cumulative loading, and the question remains on how the interaction of both, the intensity and temporal aspect, should be interpreted in terms of the cumulative loading dose that an individual is exposed to [14].…”

“…In this work, we propose cumulative loading doses that are subsequently used [14,15] to study the change of the mechanical spinal tissue properties experimentally in the context of ergonomics. However, there is currently no standardized method for calculating cumulative loading, and the question remains on how the interaction of both, the intensity and temporal aspect, should be interpreted in terms of the cumulative loading dose that an individual is exposed to [14]. The accuracy of the dose model considered is crucial in obtaining reliable results for assessing a workplace and making informed decisions within the ergonomic intervention process [16] and a lack of standardization could lead to both evaluation results of comparable working conditions being different and evaluation results of different working conditions being comparable only if the calculation method is identical [17].…”

“…The accuracy of the dose model considered is crucial in obtaining reliable results for assessing a workplace and making informed decisions within the ergonomic intervention process [16] and a lack of standardization could lead to both evaluation results of comparable working conditions being different and evaluation results of different working conditions being comparable only if the calculation method is identical [17]. As empirical evidence from both in vivo [18] and in vitro [13] investigations suggest the use of a weighting for the factor load intensity relative to load duration, several weighted calculation methods were proposed [14].…”