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Breathe, and Lift

Returning to work after a back injury often depends on how much and how often the worker can lift (called lifting capacity). This is the main focus in deciding disability benefits. It is used by the Social Security system and many other large retirement programs.

These groups assume that the ability to lift shows how fit the spine is. But how true is this? Are there other factors that add to lifting ability? Researchers are starting to look at these questions for the first time.

So far, they know that the strength of the back muscles is important in lifting capacity. A new study reports that aerobic capacity is also needed. Aerobic capacity is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply muscles with oxygen. The amount of oxygen needed increases as the muscles work harder or longer.

Back strength and aerobic capacity are both needed for lifting. Both must be part of a return-to-work program after back injury. Exercises that include both will also cut down disability and prevent reinjury. This information can be used in choosing employees for jobs that call for lifting. This may become part of prescreening in jobs with lifting. It could also be used as a deciding factor for workers switching from one job to another.

References: Leonard N. Matheson, PhD, et al. The Contribution of Aerobic Fitness and Back Strength to Lift Capacity. In Spine. June 1, 2002. Vol. 27. No. 11. Pp. 1208-1212.

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