The Effect of Lift Height on Maximal Lifting Capabilities of Men and Women
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lift height on the one repetition maximum box lifting strength (1 RM) of men and women. Ten men and eleven women lifted to heights of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 ft using a 46.5 cm long x 31 cm wide x 23 cm high aluminum box with handles. All lifts were accomplished using correct lifting technique while facing forward. An ANOVA, focused on six heights and blocked for gender was used for analysis. A Newman-Kuels post-hoc analysis was used to examine the significant differences between means. Results revealed that men lifted more than women overall (F = 128.9, p < 0.01), and at each individual height (p < 0.01). When the genders were combined, the two highest lifts (5 and 6 ft) were not different from each other, nor were the two lowest (1 and 2 ft). All other heights differed from one another (p < 0.01). For both genders, the greatest percentage decrease from one height to the next occurred between 3 and 4 feet, when more upper body strength and torso involvement were required.