Force and Muscular Activity During Pulling Activity with and without Using a Cart

Abstract

Recyclable material collectors perform manual material handling activities using nylon bags. In cooperatives, these bags are dragged on the floor; however, this activity has been replaced by carts to facilitate activity, improve logistics, increase the useful life of bags and reduce musculoskeletal complaints. However, there is no evidence that the use of carts can bring benefits to this activity. Thus, we compared the traction force and the muscular activity of the upper limb during manual handling with and without the aid of a cart. Fifteen workers pulled bags with plastic (20 kg), cardboard (30 kg) and aluminum (40 kg), with and without the use of a cart. The traction force was greater when the bag was handled manually and increased according to the bag's mass; no differences were found between the masses with the use of the cart. Muscle activity was greater for the cart and with a tendency to increase activation as the mass increases. Thus, we noticed that the use of the cart reduced the traction force and increased the activation of the muscles of the upper limbs.