The Role of Power in Predicting Lifting Capacity

Preplacement strength testing is one of the most viable supplements to ergonomic job design. Previous studies have examined the roles of isometric, isokinetic, and some isoinertial measures in predicting lifting capacity. The goal of the current study was to examine the role of maximal lifting power in predicting maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) relative to previously used isometric, isokinetic, and isoinertial tests. Twenty five male subjects participated in an experiment involving two isometric tests, peak isokinetic strength at velocities between 0.1 and 0.8 m. • sec. -1 , and isoinertial lifting capacity and peak power measured on an incremental lifting machine. Peak isoinertial power was the measure most strongly correlated with MAWL, followed by isokinetic strength measured at 0.1 m. • sec. -1 . Overall, the results support previous studies which have shown that dynamic strength measures are superior to static strength measures for the purposes of predicting maximum acceptable weights. Results of regression analyses and measures of prediction accuracy reported further support the use of dynamic measures.