Body Mechanics

Question 1

Core of the Body

Answer 1

 Involves the lumbar–pelvic–hip complex
 Reliant on muscular endurance and
neuromuscular control
 Provides support to the spine and pelvis during
movement and maintains neutral pelvic
 Involves muscles of abdomen, torso, back, and
pelvic floor

Question 2

Body Mechanics

Answer 2

Using one’s body to produce movement
 That is safe and energy conserving
 That is anatomically and physiologically efficient
 That maintains body balance and control

Question 3

Events of the Valsalva
Phenomenon

Answer 3

 Air trapping in thorax, which increases intrathoracic
pressure
 Decrease in the Venous blood flow into the right side
of the heart
 Cardiac output decrease and peripheral blood
pressure increase
 Potential cerebral vessel rupture

Question 4

Principles of Proper Body
Mechanics

Answer 4

 Assess load
 Mentally and physically prepare for lift.
 Increase your base of support (BOS).
 Maintain vertical gravity line within BOS to maintain stability and balance.
 Position yourself close to object to be moved

Question 5

cont

Answer 5

 Position your center of gravity (COG) close to
object’s COG.
 Tighten your core muscles prior to lifting.
 Roll, push, pull, or slide the object to be moved.
 Avoid simultaneous trunk flexion and rotation.
 Look straight ahead.
 Take your time, moving smoothly.

Question 6

cont

Answer 6

 Perform activities within your physical capability.
 Avoid lifting immediately after a prolonged period
of inactivity.
 Gently stretch back and lower extremities prior
to lifting

Question 7

Center of Gravity Object’s COG

Answer 7

 Point at which the object is heaviest to move or
most difficult to adjust to a new position

Question 8

Person’s COG in standing

Answer 8

 Approximately at the second sacral segment in the
center of the pelvis

Question 9

Positioning person’s COG close to object’s
COG reduces torque required to move or
carry the object

Answer 9

Often easier to adjust COG of object to be moved
rather than your own

Question 10

Vertical Line of Gravity (VLG)

Answer 10

 Imaginary line that bisects the body in the sagittal plane beginning at the head and
continuing through the COG
 Must fall between feet for balance and stability

Question 11

Events that Change a
Person’s COG

Answer 11

 Adding ambulation aids
 Standing on one foot
 Reaching for an object
 Adjusting BOS

Question 12

Causes of Potential Injuries

Answer 12

 Lumbar spine most vulnerable
 Pain-sensitive structures
 Single act of lifting a heavy object
 Lifting improperly
 Repetitive lifting
 Cumulative episodes of microtrauma

Question 13

Injury Avoidance

Answer 13

 Maintenance of general body strength and
flexibility
 Proper nutrition
 Appropriate rest and sleeping habits
 Good posture
 Use of proper body mechanics

Question 14

Position for Lifting

Answer 14

 Neutral position of lordosis of the lumbar spine
 Partial to full flexion of hips and knees
 Contraction of core stabilizing muscles, avoiding
the Valsalva maneuver

Question 15

Lift Techniques: Guidelines

Answer 15

 Visualize activity before performing it.
 Estimate approximate weight of object to be lifted.
 Consider size, configuration, shape, and position of object.
 Ask for assistance if the object does not easily move.
 Determine best lift method to use

Question 16

Precautions

Answer 16

 Avoid simultaneous trunk flexion (bending) and
rotation (twisting).
 Use footstool or ladder to reach for objects
above your head.
 Be aware of personal abilities and limits.
 Obtain human or mechanical assistance to lift or
move a large, bulky, or heavy object.

Question 17

Deep Squat Lift

Answer 17

Hips below the level of the knees
 Feet straddling the object
 Arms parallel to each other
 Grasp opposite sides, handles, or under bottom.
 Maintain vertical trunk and lumbar spine in
lordosis with anterior pelvic tilt.

Question 18

Power Lift

Answer 18

 Half squat so hips above knees
 Feet parallel to each other and behind the object
 Arms parallel to each other
 Grasp opposite sides, handles, or bottom surface.
 Maintain a more vertical trunk and lumbar spine in lordosis with anterior pelvic tilt

Question 19

Straight Leg Lift

Answer 19

 Knees slightly bent or straight
 Lower extremities either parallel to each other or
straddling the object.
 Arms parallel to each other
 Grasp opposite sides of object.
 Trunk vertical or horizontal
 Lumbar spine remains in lordosis

Question 20

One-Leg Stance Lift (“Golfer’s Lift”)

Answer 20

 Used to lift light objects
 Face object
 Weight shifted to forward leg
 Partially flex hip and knee on weight-bearing leg.
 Extend non-weight-bearing leg.
 Lift object as if removing a golf ball from the cup.

Question 21

Half-Kneeling Lift

Answer 21

 Kneel on one knee, positioned behind and on one side of the object.
 Position the other leg with foot flat and hip and knee
flexed to 90 degrees.
 Grasp and lift object with arms.
 Place object on thigh of flexed leg.
 Move object close to body.
 Begin rising to standing position

Question 22

Traditional Lift

Answer 22

 Face object with feet anteroposterior on each side of
the object and legs in deep squat.
 Grasp object underneath with arms parallel or anteroposterior to one another.
 Contract flexors of the elbows and shoulders.
 Contract extensors of the legs to further raise the object.
 Hold object close to the body

Question 23

Stoop Lift

Answer 23

 Partially flex hips and knees.
 Maintain normal lordosis of the lumbar spine.
 Grasp object with hands.
 Use legs to raise body and object, keeping
object close to the body.
 Feet positioned shoulder width and slightly
anteroposterior to each other

Question 24

Pushing, Pulling, Reaching, and
Carrying

Answer 24

Use crouched or semi-squat position to push/pull.
 Apply force parallel to supporting surface.
 Exert more force at the beginning of the
push/pull

Question 25

Testing Posture

Answer 25

Patient stands next to plumb line with front of lateral malleolus in line with plumb line.

Question 26

 Ideal alignment

Answer 26

 Slightly anterior to lateral malleolus
 Slightly anterior to midline through the knee
 Through the greater trochanter
 Midway through the trunk
 Through the shoulder joint
 Through the bodies of the cervical vertebrae
 Through the lobe of the ear