Functional assessment for prediction of lifting capacity

This study investigated the ability to predict maximal functional lifting capacity from peak isometric lumbar extension torque and submaximal lifting mechanics. Peak isometric lumbar extension torques were measured on 26 healthy men and women, ages 18 to 39 years. In addition, their lifting mechanics were evaluated while they lifted a submaximal load. Each subject's maximal lifting capacity (kg) then was predicted from the peak torque and submaximal kinetic analysis using a linear regression model. Mean values for the predicted and actual maximum weight the subjects lifted were not significantly different (50.3 +/- 15.6 kg and 48.5 +/- 17.0 kg, respectively, P > or = 0.05). The correlation between predicted and criterion values was high (r = 0.96), and the total error of the prediction was 5.1 kg, which represented 10.5% of the actual maximum value. This multi-faceted functional assessment model involving biomechanical analysis of a submaximal lift and maximal isometric lumbar extension strength accurately predicted a subject's maximum functional lifting capacity.