Maximum Team Lifting Capacity as a Function of Team Size
Abstract
The relationship between the sum of individual lifts and team lifting capacity in two-, three-, and four-person teams was examined. Twenty-three men and 17 women were assigned to single and mixed-gender teams of two, three or four persons. A weight-lifting bar was used to measure individual deadlift, as square device for two- and four-person lifting and a triangular device for three-person lifting. Team lifting capacity increased with team size and with the number of males on the team. Team lifting capacity as a percent of the sum of deadlift strength (% sum) did not change with an increase in team size beyond two. The %sum for teams of men (87.3%) was less than for teams of women (91.1%, p<.05), and the %sums for single gender teams were both greater (p<.Ol) than for mixed-gender teams (80.2%). The limits for lift set by Military Standard 1472D (1989) are well below the capabilities demonstrated here, and there is ample evidence in the Military Occupational Classification Structure (1990) that soldiers are required to lift heavier loads than recommend Since soldiers are capable of and required to lift more than the recommended lo consideration could be given to increasing these design limits. Lifting, Team lifting, Teamwork, Muscle strength, Manual materials handling, Isometric strength, Male, Female.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA271642
Entities
People
- Bradley C. Nindl
- Marilyn A. Sharp
- Tania L. Williamson
- Valerie J. Rice
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine