Effect of the Gender and Personal Characteristics Impact on One-Handed Isometric Push-Pull Exertions

Pushing/pulling activities are known as usual and high frequent tasks in industrial sectors, especially in developing countries. Nearly, half of all manual material handling tasks is comprised of push/pull exertions, so it is essential to determine the maximum value of push/pull force exertions by Iranian workers to design the workplace optimally. A total number of 31 volunteer students (19 males and 12 females) were participated in a one-handed maximum push/pull force measurement test in standing posture. The results were measured using the Isometric Push-Pull Dynamometer. Height and weight were also recorded through interviews. Data analysis showed that the pull/push forces of women were 72% and 52% of men, but the data variation for men was higher than women. Using linear regression and Pearson correlation coefficient, it was found that there were only two strong correlations between the push force of women with body mass index (R-Sq = 75.55%) and weight (R-Sq = 74.8%) and men’s pull strength was almost independent of individual characteristics. The results of maximum push/pull can be used for improvement in workstations and push/pull tools’ design in production and services industries, in which occupational health promotion will be achieved.