WHAT IS BODY PRINCIPLES OF BODY

MECHANICS? MECHANICS

Body mechanics can be described as 1. Remain close to the object;

the efficient use of ones body to stoop or squat to lift.
produce motion that is safe, energy 2. Use the largest and strongest
conserving, and anatomically and
physiologically efficient and that leads
muscles of your arms, legs,
and trunk to lift, push, pull, or BODY
carry an object.
to the maintenance of a person’s
body balance and control. 3. Widen your base of support MECHANICS
(BOS) so that your vertical
Proper use of body mechanics will gravity line (VGL) falls within
conserve energy, reduce stress and your BOS.
strain on body structures, reduce the 4. Use short lever arms for better
possibility of personal injury, and control and efficiency when
produce movements that are safe. lifting or carrying.
5. Avoid twisting your body when
you lift.
PRINCIPLES AND 6. Maintain your center of gravity
CONCEPTS OF BODY (COG) close to the object’s
COG; raise or lower your COG
MECHANICS
or the object’s COG.
7. When possible, push, pull, roll,
It is important to select and apply
techniques that will, in some or slide an object rather than
situations, reduce the adverse effects lift it. This brochure is a supplement to the Body
Mechanics Training Program. For more
of gravity or friction, or in other information, contact the Manager of
situations, enhance the positive Environmental Health and Safety, (330) 672-
effects of these two forces to reduce 1950, dbaden@kent.edu, (330) 672-9565 or
expenditure of energy, avoid undue dehead@kent.edu
stress or strain to body systems, and
maintain control of your body.
Environmental Health
and Safety
 GOOD POSTURE LIFTING MODELS POSTURE AND BODY
CONTROL
Standing – rest 1 foot on a low stool • Traditional Model
to support your back. If possible, • Deep Squat Lift Instruction in ways to maintain the
raise or lower the work surface, so • Power Lift Lumbar Lordosis
Models proper condition and functions of
• Straight Leg Lift
that your shoulder and neck can stay muscles, ligaments, and joint
• One-Leg Stance Lift (“Golfer’s
relaxed. structures through the use of
Lift”)
relaxation, flexibility, and
Lifting – get close to the object; keep There are many differing opinions strengthening activities or aerobic
your back and neck in alignment; about which model is most exercise are important components of
bend your hips, and lift with your legs, appropriate or best to use. Research education.
not your back. studies have not shown or proven
that one method is superior to, safer Methods that can be used to protect
Bending – keep back and neck in than, or more effective than another or relieve back stress, are the use of
alignment and bend at the hips. Try method. a footstool while standing or the use
to tighten the abdominal muscles to of a lumbar roll while sitting.
protect your lower back as you bend. It has been hypothesized that lumbar
lordosis models provide greater Balance work, recreational, and rest
Sitting – set with buttocks against protection to the lumbar region of the activities to avoid chronic overuse
back of chair with support for back; spine, particularly during the lifting of syndromes or the development of
feet and arms supported, and chair a heavy object. specific dysfunction.
close to surface you will be working
on. PUSHING, PULLING, You are the only person who has
direct control over your lifestyle,
Turning – Keep feet and hips moving
REACHING, AND CARRYING
behavior, posture, and use of your
with upper body; don’t twist; lift feet body.
Many of the same principles applied
as you turn. to lifting also apply to pushing and
pulling activities. You should use a
Reaching – Raise your body position crouched or a semisquat position to
by standing on a wide-based footstool push or pull. This position lowers
or ladder. your COG nearer to the object’s
COG, which increases stability,
Carrying – when you must carry reduces energy expenditure, and
something, put equal amount of improves control of the object.
weight on both sides of your body.