In the field of ergonomics, especially as it relates to workplace injury prevention, we often focus—justifiably—on the latest science, research, and observations, frequently informed by new safety technology and even artificial intelligence. All of these things can tell us a great deal about how adults use their bodies to complete their work tasks and how we can guide employees to safer, healthier movements that reduce injuries and promote long-term well-being.
But what if we’re overlooking a much simpler source of information—something closer to home that doesn’t require complex technology, sensors, and peer-reviewed studies?
My children, one-year-old twin boys, seem to move in ways that would impress any ergonomist. Their posture is straight and tall; they interact with their environment in ways that seem natural, and their body mechanics are as close to perfect as any safety expert could hope to see in adults who have received hours upon hours of training. I never taught my kids to behave this way—it comes naturally.
For ergonomists and workplace safety professionals, this observation should prompt new ways of thinking about biomechanics and injury prevention. After all, ergonomics is all about fitting tools, workspaces, and tasks to the natural abilities of the worker. Shouldn’t we take note when we see people of any age using perfect body mechanics?
Why do children exhibit safe movements and biomechanics without training?
In a way, children have an innate advantage when it comes to movement. While kids have yet to fully develop their brains, muscles, tissues, and bones, it’s also true that they haven’t experienced the influences that change the way people move as they grow older. They exhibit ways of moving that prove that the human body has a natural way of exerting force and interacting with its surroundings. Here are some examples.
- Lifting: Even when they’re lifting a small toy off the ground, children tend to do so using their legs to support their weight and the weight of the object. The muscles in the lower back are for support and stability and don’t have the strength to lift heavy weights. Our leg muscles are much larger and are capable of significantly more force.
- Balance: Kids will naturally use a wider base in order to stay upright. Because they are still building their core strength and stability, they tend to use a wider base of support, something adults should try to emulate.
- Reaching: Most kids will turn their entire body to reach and touch or grab something instead of twisting at the waist like adults tend to do.
- Posture: At a young age, children seem to hold themselves upright in ways that adults often don’t, with their weight evenly distributed over their spinal column.
Why do we see this in children? The human body evolved to use its muscles and tissues in specific ways that come naturally. Using these natural movement techniques allows muscles to perform as intended, rather than doing jobs they aren’t meant do to, and lets the body move in concert with itself rather than forcing muscles and tissues into isolation, where they can be strained and injured.
Where do we go wrong as we get older?
There are a few reasons why these natural behaviors change over time, resulting in movements that are more likely to result in pain or injury.
The first is laziness—not the desire to skip work, but the natural inclination to make the work you’re doing as easy and fast as possible. For example, when we lift a weight, it may feel easier and faster to bend at the waist, especially for an object of lighter weight. Because it feels like an easy task, we assume we’re not doing damage to our bodies; when we successfully lift an object by bending at the waist, we reinforce that behavior and repeat it. But that repetition does cause strain that adds up over time, which can eventually cause a repetitive strain injury.
Another reason is the natural reduction in mobility as we get older. Our range of motion decreases as we age, and in the moment, it may feel easier to loosen your posture or cut a corner on a task technique. But over time, those shortcuts can accumulate and result in an injury or chronic pain.
Finally, existing injuries can diminish our range of motion, decrease our strength, and make simple tasks more difficult. For example, an ACL tear may leave a person with lingering pain, or a person might develop arthritis as a result of age. When we feel pain, we’re more likely to use whatever motion causes the least discomfort.
What are the most common bad habits that people develop over time?
1) Poor posture: In contrast with what we observe in children, older individuals are more likely to fall out of the habit of sitting or standing upright with weight evenly distributed on the spine. Fatigue can lead us to relax certain muscles that support good posture, leading us to rely more on ligaments and joints—stabilizing structures that aren’t intended to support our full weight.
2) Muscle imbalance: Over time, individuals may develop a reliance on one set of muscles or one side of their body, like a basketball player who always finishes a layup with their right hand instead of practicing on both sides. The same is true of workers who perform specific tasks many times, leading them to build more strength on one side while the other remains weak. This imbalance can lead to injury when strain is placed on the weak side.
3) Poor balance technique: Any movement requires balance, and even though we don’t always consciously realize it, performing a task while not properly balanced causes us to overcompensate with body structures that don’t have the strength to support our weight.
How can adults learn to move in more natural ways again?
There’s no silver bullet for fixing poor posture and unsafe movement techniques, but there are several ways to support better biomechanics in the workplace and beyond.
1) Education and training: Many of the changes we observe in adults happen slowly, and safety professionals need to be intentional about reteaching and reinforcing correct techniques. Helping workers understand why biomechanics are important goes a long way in instilling safer behaviors for tasks like lifting, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
2) Practice: One-time training sessions aren’t sufficient for correcting bad, dangerous habits. Workers should be given opportunities to learn and practice proper technique, helping to develop the neuropathways specific to the tasks they need to perform in safer ways. Consistent reinforcement is useful for workers who don’t move as much during their shifts, such as desk workers—ergonomists recommend setting timers for every hour to remind workers to check their posture and develop better habits. Desktop ergonomics software can also provide these reminders along with instructions on how to correct posture and technique.
3) Mental health support: Holistic safety and wellness include a strong mental health component, and supporting mental and emotional well-being also helps workers stay focused and engaged both in their tasks and in the training that will help them restore positive body mechanics. Improved mental health promotes better physical health.
Ergonomists and safety professionals have a lot to learn from children, so the next time you’re watching your kids play, pay attention—it could be good for your health!
Contact DORN today to learn how we can help your organization reach its ergonomic goals.
