Biomechanical evaluation of lift postures in adult Koli female labourers.

Three lift-postures, back straight and knees bent, back bent and knees straight and squatting were evaluated biomechanically based on data from 100 Koli female labourers, when lifting loads from the floor to hold them at knee height. The maximum weight was lifted with the back bent and the knees straight which is a posture commonly used by Indian labourers for lifting a load. Squatting (a posture used by Indians for performing household chores) produced the least physical strain in terms of moment and moment ratio (moment per kilogramme of load lifted). Consequently, squatting was found to be the best posture for lifting a load, specifically for the Indian labourers who are accustomed to squatting when working.