Foot placement strategy in pushing and pulling.

BACKGROUND: Pushing and pulling tasks are very common in daily and industrial workplaces. They are one major source of musculoskeletal complaints.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the foot placement strategy while pushing and pulling.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen young males and ten young females were recruited as participants.

METHODS: A two (pushing and pulling) by four (48 cm, 84 cm, 120 cm, and 156 cm) factorial design was used.

RESULTS: Exertion direction and exertion height significantly affected foot placement strategy. Pushing task needed more anteroposterior space than pulling task. The percentages of female/male for trailing foot position ranged from 77% to 90% (pushing) and from 80% to 93% (pulling) across the exertion heights.

CONCLUSION: Practitioners should provide an anteroposterior space approximately to 70% body stature for workers to exert their maximum pulling and pushing strengths.