Background: The type of task performed determines the type of grip utilized, the force applied and the postures adopted for carrying out the task. The different postures and grips involved in these tasks present higher or lower risks of musculoskeletal injuries. Objective: To describe the types of grip utilized when transferring 5 and 10 kg loads between surfaces at different heights, and to quantify the flexion/extension movements and the radial and ulnar deviations presented by the wrist, by means of recordings on an electrogoniometer. Method: Ten male volunteers transferred a box between surfaces at different heights. The types of grip utilized were videotaped. Different categories of grip utilized during this task were identified. The movement amplitudes and the percentages of time spent within and outside of preestablished amplitude ranges (0-15º flexion/extension, 0-10º radial deviation and 0-10º ulnar deviation) were determined. Univariate analysis was utilized to evaluate any significant differences between the volunteers' hand dimensions and between the movements utilized for load-handling relating to different heights. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that the heights of the surfaces to which the objects were transferred significantly influenced the joint movement amplitudes (p=0.000). However, there was no difference between movements for the different loads handled (p=0.43). A time greater that what is considered recommendable was spent on radial deviation when the handling activity involved high surfaces. Recommendations on appropriate locations for packing materials that are to be handled should be included in training programs aimed at preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
grip; load handling; musculoskeletal disorders; electrogoniometry
