Evidence to support using squat, semi-squat and stoop techniques to lift low-lying objects

Squat lifting is widely regarded as the 'correct' technique for lifting low-lying objects. However what evidence is there to support this technique? Further, is the evidence sufficient to justify teaching the technique? Until the last decade there was very little evidence to support the use of squat lifting of low-lying objects. Semi-squat lifting has been the centre of renewed interest in recent years. However there is less evidence for semi-squat, either for or against, than for stoop and squat techniques. Whilst it may provide a reasonable compromise between stoop and squat, it may be a mixture of the disadvantages of stoop and squat or even create new problems. Stoop lifting is commonly understood to be 'incorrect'. The vast majority of advice literature on lifting technique recommends against using stoop lifting. However some research results actually support the use of stoop lifting. This paper summarises the available evidence in support of using squat, semi-squat and stoop techniques to lift low-lying objects. Evidence is presented under headings of psychophysical, physiological, biomechanical, subjective, performance and clinical. No previous publication summarising this, evidence could be found, and the results may be surprising to many.