The purpose of this study was to provide a practical guide to the proper way of lifting a patient using various types of stretcher that rescue crews use by analyzing the load on the lumbar region. The experiment was conducted with working male and female rescue crews. Having mixed groups of gender complete tasks such as lifting, moving, and unloading a patient using four different types of stretcher, we recorded variations of the lumbar bending angle and calculated the load on the lumbar region using 3D SSPP. The data showed, in terms of the lumbar bending angle, it was greater when only females were involved in the work, and there were very significant differences in the angle depending on the types of stretcher used and body sizes of each subject. In the analysis of the load on the lumbar based on the bending angle, NIOSH was over the recommended limit in certain groups. Utilizing the analysis, it is recommended, in the medium and long term, to improve equipments for rescue personnel and to guide them to the proper way of working.

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyography (EMG) activities of the lumbar extensor muscles during motion of trunk flexion-extension and compare range of motion (ROM) with a 3-dimensional motion analysis system of the lumbar region between subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy subjects during the trunk flexion-extension, trunk rotation and trunk lateral flexion cycle. Thirty CLBP subjects and thirty healthy subjects were included. We measured the root mean square (RMS) value of the lumbar extensor muscles from resting, standing, lumbar flexion and return position. The RMS ratio was normalized from maximal EMG activity of the lumbar extensor muscles during trunk motion. The results of this study showed that the RMS ratio of the lumbar extensor was significantly higher in CLBP subjects than healthy subjects during all of trunk motion (p<.05). The ratio of the highest RMS value during flexion and extension was higher in CLBP subjects than in healthy subjects (p<.05). The ROM of the lumbar region was significantly lower in CLBP subjects than healthy subjects during trunk flexion-extension, trunk rotation and lateral flexion cycle. The relationship between the RMS ratio for full lumbar flexion and the ROM of lumbar flexion was not correlated significantly. CLBP subjects have both decreased ROM of the lumbar region and higher muscle activities of the lumbar extensor muscle than healthy subjects.