BODY MECHANICS

Marlon A. De Guzman, PTRP, MOH

 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the discussion, the students will
be able to:
• Define key terms related to the topic
• Describe, instruct and demonstrate proper
body mechanics applied in different activities
• Explain specific precautions to use when
performing different activities as well on how
to care for the back
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
 BASE OF SUPPORT (BOS)
• The area on which the object rests and that
provides support for the object.

CENTER OF GRAVITY (COG)

• The point in which the mass of the body or
object is centered.
VERTICAL GRAVITY LINE (VGL)
• An imaginary line that passes through the
COG of an object
What happens to BOS when you add
AD, SLS, amputee?

What happens to COG with pregnancy,

when reaching for an object, squat,
stoop, kneel?
 LEVER ARM
• A component of a mechanical lever
Force arm
Weight arm
MA α FA (length) / WA (length)
 VECTOR
• A quantity possessing magnitude and
direction
Force
Velocity
 TORQUE
• The expression of the effectiveness of a force
in turning the lever system
T = F x D
 VALSALVA PHENOMENON /
MANEUVER
• Increased ITP caused by forcible exhalation
against a closed glottis.
 GRAVITY
• Force that pulls towards the center of the
Earth and affects all objects
 FRICTION
• The act of rubbing of one object against
another
 BODY MECHANICS
• It is the coordinated and efficient use of body
parts as a machine and as a means for
locomotion
• Use of one’s body to produce motion that is safe,
energy conserving, anatomically and
physiologically efficient and maintains body
balance and control.
Purpose (Tyrone-Perez)
o To maintain good body posture
o To help promote and maintain physiologic functioning
o To prevent injury and fatigue
o To improve physical appearance
WHY WE NEED TO STUDY BODY
MECHANICS?
 PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF PBM

• Forces that adds resistance to activities:

– Gravity
– Friction
• Isaac Newton’s “Three Laws of Motion”
• Importance of maintaining neutral
position/posture
• Importance of Power/Comfort Zone
PBM TECHNIQUES
 STANDING
Suggested Technique
Stand with body erect and body segments
balanced one over the other
Place feet comfortable apart, approximately
3-4 inches
Hold knees and shoulders in easy position
Pull in abdominal muscles and contract
gluteal muscles
Hold chest forward with back of the head
chin in and level
Rationale
Good posture requires that the body weight
be balanced in relation to spine and COG
Balanced is maintained with minimum effort
if COG is over the center of support. BOS α
stability.
An easy position keeps the body in
functional alignment. Flexed or rigidly
extended extremities predisposed to muscle
strain.
Abdominal muscle contraction = upward
pull
Gluteal muscle contraction = downward pull
Prevents muscle strain
Shoulders and head brought backward
facilitate good lung expansion and prevent
fatigue
 SITTING
Suggested Technique
Hold head and trunk in upright position
Flex hips at right angles to trunk and place
far back in chair so that most of the thighs
rest on the seat of the chair. Legs must be at
right angle with the thighs. Lower abdomen
must be tucked in.
Place foot on floor, with one foot ahead of
the other.
Put arms and thigh at ease
Rationale
Functional alignment is maintained when
spine is elongated and physiological curves
are within normal lines
Weight of the body while sitting must be
borne by the buttocks. Abdominal muscle
rely on strong muscles and thus it can be
injured by improper use of muscle groups .
Severe flexion and compression impedes
circulation.
Supported extremity prevents undue muscle
pull
Tightly adducted position of arms and thighs
are predisposed to muscle strain.
 WALKING
Suggested Technique
Stand erect with chest up. Hold head erect,
lower abdominal muscle must be retracted
and body is well balanced.
Step with one foot forward and face the
direction of the movement.
Walk with your normal strides. See to it that
the feet are parallel in a heel-toe gait.
Rationale
Preparatory to walking
Balanced is maintained by transferring
alternately from one body segment to
another. Keep the line of gravity within the
BOS. Facing the direction of activity keeps
the muscle groups in proper position for
effective functioning without strain.
Maintains normal functioning position of leg
and feet.
 LIFTING/PICKING
Suggested Technique
Stay as close as possible to an object to be
lifted or moved
Face the direction of work. Flex the knees.
Carry heavy objects close to the body with
elbows held close to the trunk and the back
kept erect.
Rationale
COG of body close to COG of object being
moved permits maximum use of large and
strong muscles.
COG is lowered by bending the knees than
by bending over from the back (provides
stability). Bending the knees forward places
the weight on thigh muscles preventing
back strain.
Use of longer and stronger muscles of the
body helps provide power needed with
strenuous activities.
GUIDELINES FOR LIFTING
 LIFTING TECHNIQUES
• Deep Squat Lift
 LIFTING TECHNIQUES
• Power Lift
 LIFTING TECHNIQUES
• Deep Squat Lift
GUIDELINES FOR PUSHING, PULLING, REACHING, and CARRYING
ACTIVITIES
PUSHING and PULLING REACHING CARRYING

•Flex your knees and Face
the object squarely
•Use your arms and legs
to push or pull; push with
your arms partially flexed
• Push or pull in a straight
line and force should be
parallel to the floor
• Be certain there are no
objects in your path and
doorways are wide
enough for the object to
pass through
• Stand on a footstool or
ladder to reach or place
an object above your
head
• Move closer to the
object or vice versa before
grasping, lowering, or
raising it; be certain that
you are able to control the
object safely
• Hold the object close to
you body as you step
down or onto a footstool
• Don’t simultaneously
reach and twist your body
•When carrying an object,
hold it close to the body
• Alternately carry an
object (if being carried
using one-hand) without
twisting the trunk
• Balance the load
whenever possible
• Avoid carrying or
balancing a child using
one hip
• Use backpack
appropriately
 GROUP WORK
• On a yellow paper:
– Name of given lift technique
– What are the indications for that lift
• Steps in the sequence for performing the technique
correctly
– Include/describe posture/proper alignment
• Limitations/contraindications for that lift
• Draw a picture depicting the lift (“stick man”, etc.)

• You and your group will demonstrate your given lift, in

detail, to the class.
 Resources:

• Fairchild SL. Pierson and Fairchild’s Principles & Techniques of

Patient Care, 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2008.

• Shankman G, Manske R. Fundamental Orthopedic Management

for the Physical Therapist Assistant. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MS: Elsevier;
2011.

• US Department of Labor. Back Injuries: Nation’s #1 Workplace

Safety Problem. https://ehs.okstate.edu/training/oshaback.htm.
Accessed July 18, 2014.