Lumbar spine compressive loads in simulated strawberry picking using opensim

Strawberry pickers may be at high risk of low back disorders (LBDs) due to sustained lumbar flexion during bent posture. The aims of this study were to conduct motion analysis experiments of simulated harvesting movements and inverse dynamic analyses of lumbar spine loads. Results indicate higher L5/S1 and L4/L5 joint contact compressive forces in flexion without and with axial twist compared to standing (i.e. static upright posture) (p< 0.001).