Associations of Low-Back Fatigue and Pain with Trunk Motor Variability in Repetitive Lifting: A Scoping Review
Abstract
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSRepetitive lifting is a major occupational risk factor for developing low back fatigue and pain. This review aimed to identify and summarize the available evidence on how trunk motor variability (MV) may serve both as a predictor of susceptibility to fatigue/pain as well as a response to fatigue/pain during repetitive lifting tasks. Higher MV may protect workers by distributing loads and preventing overuse of the same tissues, potentially reducing the incidence or severity of fatigue/pain. However, findings also indicate that the relationship between MV, fatigue, and pain is complex, with the direction of MV changing depending on task demands, pain chronicity, and adaptation. Future work should aim to understand and monitor MV in the workplace to inform interventions for injury prevention.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Muscle activation and electromyography studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 215–238
- Publication date
- 23 January 2026
- Language
- EN