Functional stability limits while holding loads in various positions.

Stability of the body during manual material handling is an important issue in the prevention of falls and over-exertion injuries. This research investigated stability limits while standing and holding loads in different positions relative to the body. Theoretically, the stability region is the full base of support defined by the perimeter of the foot contact area. However, the functional stability region may be smaller. The purpose of this study was to locate functional stability limits with respect to the base of support. Fifteen male subjects leaned as far as possible in four directions in the sagittal and frontal planes. Their center of gravity location at these extremes determined the stability limit. The results showed that functional stability limits reached only about 60% of the distance to the maximum base of support limits under the conditions of this study. The sway angles reached at the stability limits averaged 9.2 degrees anteroposteriorly and 15.3 degrees laterally. External load positions which lowered the center of gravity of the body-and-load system extended those stability limits. This study provides a postural stability perspective of load-holding which may be applied in establishing safe lifting and reach limits.