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# Effect of task factors on the heart rate recovery time in a lifting task

### BACKGROUND:

There is an extensive body of research reviewing the effect of task factors on the Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAWL) or heart beats elevation as a result of a manual material handling task. However, there are now studies that investigate the effect of task factors on the heart rate recovery time (HRR).

### OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of the study was twofold: (1) to determine the HRR for a series of lifting tasks based on the activity heart rate and by using a set of task variables, (2) to compare the effect of three task factors on the HRR following a lifting task.

### METHODS:

This research was constituted of capturing the duration that heart rate needs to get to a steady state following a lifting task, along with conducting the survey of perceived exertion (Borg). Three independent variables of this study (task-factors) were weight of the lift (10 and 20 kg), frequency of the lift (6 and 9 lifts per minute), and the duration of the lift (5 and 10 minutes). Given the possible treatment combinations, a total of 8 treatments was obtained. Twenty-four university male students performed the lifting tasks in a between-subject design. Each participant performed one treatment by lifting a box from knuckle to shoulder height at a certain frequency, duration and weight. All eight treatments were equally replicated with three observations per treatment group.

### RESULTS:

Increasing weight and frequency of the lift significantly increased the HRR (respectively by 37% and 34%), while the HRR had a slight decrease when duration was doubled (approximately -2.7%). Weight of the lift was the only factor led to a significant change in the perceived difficulty of the task among participants (approximately 20%).

### CONCLUSIONS:

Among main factors, frequency and weight of the lift had a significant effect on the HRR (p-values < 0.1). Among the interaction effects, the interaction of frequency and duration had a significant effect on the HRR. The only factor that had a significant effect on the Borg-rating was weight of the lift (p-value < 0.1).

## 1.Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and nerves which can affect almost all tissues and most often involve the arms and back [1, 2]. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are conditions in which the work environment or performance contribute to MSD [3]. According to OSHA [4], WMSDs are a leading cause of pain, suffering, and disability in American workplaces. In 2014, MSDs accounted for 32% of all injury and illness cases at the workplace [5]. According to the same article, in 2014 there were 365,580 cases of musculoskeletal disorders with an incident rate of 33.8 cases per 10,000 full-time workers which resulted in a median of 13 days away from work per person.

Some professions sustain higher rates of injury than others. For example, laborers and freight, stock, and material movers; nursing assistants, and heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers incurred a higher number of MSDs in 2015 than any other profession [6]. In addition to causing acute and chronic health problems to workers, MSDs result to high costs. Annual costs for MSD related workers’ compensation is estimated to be about $20 billion a year for direct costs and$100 billion for indirect costs [4]. Direct costs are related to the actual cost of treatment and clinical cost and indirect costs are related to the impact of injury, lost earnings, the cost of time off work, and the burden on the economy [7, 8]. In addition to physical injuries, research shows that workers who have prolonged absence from work as a result of MSD, are prone to suffer from psychological distress and disorders [9].

Manual material handling (MMH) tasks are inseparable parts of many industries and in many cases human physical input is needed in performing such tasks. MMH can be defined as moving objects from an origin to a destination by using body parts especially the hands. Generally speaking, there are two main types of manual material handling tasks: individual tasks and combined tasks [10]. Examples of individual tasks are pushing, holding, pulling, lowering and lifting, whereas combined tasks can be a mixture of two or more individual tasks [11]. According to Verbeek et al. [12], MMH tasks, especially lifting, are associated with a high risk of lower back pain (LBP). Research shows that 70–85% of the population experience back pain at some point in their lives and about 2% of the US workforce are compensated for back injuries each year [13].

Repetition and overexertion in a physical activity can cause muscle fatigue and are major risk factors leading to MSD [14]. Janaro and Bechtold [15] state that workplace fatigue, regardless of type (physical or psychological), can affect worker’s capacity and productivity. It is a known fact that fatigue can deteriorate productivity and work quality, increase the number of work errors and lead to workplace injury [16, 17]. Bhatia and Murrell [18] discuss the effectiveness of proper rest breaks on worker productivity and fatigue reduction. Considering that there is an association between muscle fatigue and task performed [19] and that excessive fatigue at workplace can affect workers’ health, productivity and safety [20], serious efforts need to be made in finding proper rest schedules that not only ensures workers well-beings, but also helps with lowering the economic burden of MSDs on society.

Several MMH studies have investigated task factors that significantly affect response variables such as Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAW), or heart rate elevation. However, no research has focused on studying the effect of task factors on the recovery time in an MMH task. This research intended to study the effects of three task-factors on the heart rate recovery time (HRR). The first objective was to determine the HRR by conducting a series of lifting experiment, and the secondary objective was to determine the effect of each factor on the HRR.

## 2.Methods

### 2.1Participants

Twenty-four male students from Louisiana State University (LSU) between the ages 20–37 participated in this study. Participants were selected on a volunteer basis. Due to the use of human subjects, a permission from LSU institutional review board (IRB) was obtained and each participant had to read and sign the consent form before performing the experiment. The full demographic data for participants is presented in Table 1.

##### Table 1

Participant data summary

DataAverageS.DDataAverageS.D
Age22.53.2Shoulder height (cm)147.65.7
Height (cm)177.95.8BMI253.2
Weight (kg)79.412.4Grip strength (kg)459.2
Knuckle height (cm)77.84.2Static strength (kg)26.76.8

### 2.2Apparatus

A wooden platform with adjustable shelves was used for the lifting task. The bottom shelf was adjusted to the average knuckle height (77.8 cm) and the top shelf was adjusted to the average shoulder height (147.6 cm) of test participants.

A wooden crate was used to hold various weights. The crate measures 45.5 cm × 30.5 cm × 20.5 cm and has two handles installed on each side of the crate, cushioned by racquet grip tape.

A variety of weights were used to fill the crate as part of the experiment for each participant to perform a lifting task with a certain weight (10 or 20 kg).

In order to alert a participant of the cycles (frequencies) of a lifting task, an iPhone application named Gymboss Interval Timer was used.

A Bluetooth heart rate monitor (Polar H7, USA) was worn by each participant throughout the experiment (attached to the chest). This device transmits data to a smartphone interface (Polar app) and the collected data (participant’s heart beats) can be transferred to Microsoft Excel.

##### Table 2

Treatment combinations

 Treatment # Frequency (lifts/minute) Duration (min) Weight (kg) 1 6 5 10 2 9 5 10 3 6 5 20 4 9 5 20 5 6 10 10 6 9 10 10 7 6 10 20 8 9 10 20

### 2.3Experimental design

A 23 factorial design was used for this research. Aghazadeh [21] used a similar design in an MMH study. In his work, three independent variables of height, frequency, and container type, each at two levels, were used to predict the maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL). In the current study three independent variables of frequency (lifts/min), duration (min), and weight (kg) of the lift, each at two levels, were used to determine the HRR. Each independent variable had a high level and a low level (frequencies of 6 and 9 lifts/minute, durations of 10 and 20 minutes, and weights of 10 and 20 kg). Giving the possible treatment combinations, eight (23) treatments were obtained in the experiment (Table 2). Each participant was randomly assigned to a unique treatment (between subject design). The randomization was done by an online tool named “Random.org”. The experiment was conducted over three days, and on each day a full set of eight treatments was used (by 8 participants). Therefore, the design structure of this experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Blocking was accounted for by using the variable day as a random effect in the model. The plan was to replicate each treatment with three observations, giving twenty-four observations.

The main response variable of this study was the HRR which was the duration following a lifting task that the heart needs to reach a steady state.

The secondary response variable was the perceived level of exertion. A common method in rating the perceived difficulty of a manual task is the use of Borg scale [22]. The original Borg Scale ranges from 6 to 20 points. A modified version of Borg Scale called Borg CR10 was used in this study, which employs a response format that ranges from a value of 0 (no exertion at all) to 10 (maximal exertion). After each lifting task participants were asked to rate the difficulty of the task from 0 to 10. A copy of the Borg CR10 is presented in Appendix A.

### 2.4The lifting task

The task consisted of repetitive freestyle lifting of a box from knuckle to the shoulder height, while no lowering was required. A helper lowered the box from the other side of the lifting apparatus throughout the experiment. Lifting was chosen due to the fact that is pervasively used in material handling despite advancements in work mechanization [23]. Each person performed the lifting for a predetermined amount of weight, with a specific frequency, and over a certain amount of time (for example, “lift 10 kg for 10 minutes at 6 lifts per minute”). The participant began the lifting with the activation of the interval timer. Two responses were captured as a result of the lifting task: HRR and Borg scale. Upon completion of a lifting task, the participant was asked to sit and relax with no distraction (cell phone use, eating, taking, etc.) for 10 minutes. The heart rate activity of each participant was monitored before, during, and after a lifting task by the heart rate monitor.

### 2.5Heart rate data processing

##### Figure 1.

Heart rate in a sub-maximal physical activity (adopted from Pulat, 1997).

##### Table 3

Participant data summary

 ID Day Lift weight Lift frequency Lift duration Treatment Recovery Borg (kg) (lifts/minute) (min) # time (min) rating 1 1 10 9 10 6 3 7 2 1 20 9 5 4 2.42 7 3 1 10 6 10 5 1.08 5 4 1 20 9 10 8 2.25 8 5 1 10 6 5 1 2.25 3 6 1 20 6 10 7 1.25 3 7 1 10 9 5 2 1.50 6 8 1 20 6 5 3 1 7 9 2 20 9 5 4 2.63 7 10 2 10 6 5 1 1.50 7 11 2 10 9 5 2 1.50 7 12 2 10 6 10 5 1.50 6 13 2 20 6 10 7 2 10 14 2 20 9 10 8 3 6 15 2 20 6 5 3 3 8 16 2 10 9 10 6 1.50 5 17 3 20 9 5 4 3.50 6 18 3 10 9 10 6 3 7 19 3 20 9 10 8 3.50 7 20 3 20 6 10 7 2.50 8 21 3 10 6 10 5 1 6 22 3 10 9 5 2 2 7 23 3 20 6 5 3 3 8 24 3 10 6 5 1 2 5

## 3.Results

Table 3 shows the acquired raw data for the two independent (HRR and Borg scale). In order to assess the effects of main factors (frequency, duration, weight) and their interactions on the HRR and Borg scale, a Mixed Model ANOVA was performed in SAS Enterprise Guidesoftware. The significance level (α) was set at 10% based on the calculated p-values. Day of the study was considered as a random effect and blocking factor. The results are presented in the following sections.

### 3.1HRR

First, the average recovery time among the two levels of each factor along with their percentage change was calculated (Table 4). Based on the results of this table, by doubling the weight of the lift from 10 kg to 20 kg, the average HRR increased by 37.4%, and by increasing the frequency from 6 lifts/minute to 9 lifts/minute the average HRR increased by 34.8%. On the other hand, we observe a 2.7 decrease in the HRR when lift duration increased from 5 minutes to 10 minutes.

##### Table 4

Average recovery time among different levels of each factor

FactorLevelHRR (min)Percentage change
Weight101.82+37.4%
202.50
Frequency (lpm)61.84+34.8%
92.48
Duration (min)52.19-2.7%
102.13

A mixed model ANOVA for HRR values was conducted (Table 5). At 10% significance level, weight (F-value = 8.11, P-value = 0.0129), frequency (F-value = 7.15, P-value = 0.0181), and the interaction between frequency and duration (F-value = 4.50, P-value = 0.0523) had a significant impact on the HRR.

##### Table 5

Mixed model ANOVA for the HRR (initial model)

 Type 3 Tests of Fixed Effects Effect Num DF Den DF F Value Pr > F Weight 1 14 8.11 0.0129 Freq 1 14 7.15 0.0181 Dur 1 14 0.06 0.8066 Weight*Freq 1 14 0.23 0.6399 Weight*Dur 1 14 0.23 0.6399 Freq*Dur 1 14 4.50 0.0523 Weight*Freq*Dur 1 14 1.24 0.2834

To further analyze the main effect of each lifting factor, the grand average of the HRR with respect to each individual lifting parameter (at two levels) was calculated and three linear graphs were drawn (Figs 24). The best-fit equations for each graph were obtained as follows:

##### Figure 2.

Effect of weight on HRR.

The best-fit equation of Fig. 2 for the average HRR based on two levels of weight is as follows:

HRR for weight response:

##### (1)
y=0.1584Weight+0.2623

The best-fit equation of Fig. 3 for the average HRR based on two levels of frequency is as follows:

##### Figure 3.

Effect of frequency on HRR.

HRR for frequency response:

##### (2)
y=0.1488Frequency+0.2768

##### Figure 4.

Effect of duration on HRR.

The best-fit equation of Fig. 4 for the average HRR based on two levels of duration is as follows:

HRR for duration response:

##### (3)
y=-0.0139Duration+0.5208

### 3.2Borg-rating

##### Table 6

Average Borg score among different levels of each factor

FactorLevelAvg. Borg scorePercentage change
Weight (kg)105.920.1%
207.1
Frequency (lpm)66.36.3%
96.7
Duration (min)56.50%
106.5

The average Borg-rating among different levels of each factor along with their percentage change was calculated (Table 6). By increasing the weight from 10 kg to 20 kg, a 20.1% increase in the average perceived level of exertion is observed. On the other hand, increasing the weight and duration of the lift did not result in a significant increase in the average Borg-rating among test participants.

##### Table 7

Mixed model ANOVA for Borg

 Type 3 Tests of Fixed Effects Effect Num DF Den DF F Value Pr > F Weight 1 14 3.33 0.0894 Freq 1 14 0.27 0.6102 Dur 1 14 0.00 1.0000 Weight*Freq 1 14 1.70 0.2134 Weight*Dur 1 14 0.07 0.7981 Freq*Dur 1 14 0.00 1.0000 Weight*Freq*Dur 1 14 0.61 0.4472

A mixed model ANOVA for Borg-rating values was conducted (Table 7). Based on this result, at 10% significance level, just weight of the lift had a significant effect on the Borg-rating. (F-value = 3.33, P-value = 0. 0894).

## 4.Research limitations

One major limitation was the relatively small sample size. In future studies, a larger sample size which is more representative of the general population may be used to support the findings with a higher accuracy. For instance, choosing the test participants based on a large array of BMI can be suggested (e.g. based on 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile of U.S. adult population BMI).

Each independent factor of this study had only two levels. Using three or more levels of each factor (e.g. frequencies of 2, 6, 5, and 9), would enable us to conduct post hoc analysis and determine which level of a certain factor is more significant compared to other levels.

This study investigated the effects of three task factors on the recovery time. Future studies may incorporate more factors such as lifting height, lifting angle, and the box size. Adding more factors will add to the value of the study.

Only one physiological response (heart rate recovery time) was studied. Future studies may incorporate more response variables such as VO2 consumption or EMG. In addition, the current study did not investigate gender effect. Adding a gender variable in the future can be suggested.

## 5.Conclusions

As lifting frequency increased from 6 to 9 lifts per minute, the time needed for heart rate to recover after a lifting task increased by 35%, while its effect was also significant. This supports findings of Garg and Bannag [26], Wu [27], Maiti and Bagchi [28], and Abadi et al. [29], that frequency of the lift has a significant effect on the average heart rate values.

As lifting weight increased from 10 to 20 kilograms, the recovery time increased by 37%, while its effect was also significant. This supports the finding of Maiti and Bagchi [28] experiment, in which they concluded weight of the lift has a significant effect on the normalized heart rate values. Duration as a main factor negatively impacted the recovery time, however, its effect was insignificant. The only interaction effect that significantly affected the recovery time was the interaction between frequency and duration of the lift.

The load weight was the only factor that had a significant effect on the self-reported Borg rating and led to a 20% increase in fatigue rating when weight was doubled.

## 6.Concluding remarks

With regard to the ergonomic intervention in the design of manual material handling tasks, due consideration should be given to key task factors that affect workers fatigue and have a significant effect on recovery time. Based on the results of this study two factors of weight and frequency of the lift has significant effects on recovery time following a lifting task. Designing tasks with appropriate rest periods based on these two factors can help with alleviating workers fatigue and prevention of MSD injuries.

None to report.

## Appendices

### Appendix A: CR-10 Borg scale survey

RatingDefinition
0Nothing at all
0.5Very, very easy
1Very easy
2Easy
3Moderate
4Somewhat hard
5Hard
6
7Very hard
8
9Very, very hard
10Impossible