Posture of the Trunk During the Lifting of Weights*

This paper is an attempt to answer briefly three questions, and then to suggest an explanation of the answers based on the relevant anatomy. The questions are: (1) How are heavy weights lifted ? (2) What part does the trunk play in this ? (3) What damage may be produced ? The answers to the first two questions stem from personal observation of a large number of people engaged in their everyday tasks.