ABSTRACT
Human strength is characterized by many experts as the maximum force or torque a well-motivated person can demonstrate for a few seconds without fatigue (i.e. with a minimum rest of at least 1 min between repeated exertions). Many factors modify the resulting strength values. Some of the most important factors are as follows:
Personal attributes, such as:
O Strength conditioning and genetics O Gender O Size (anthropometry) O Age
Task attributes, such as:
O Force direction (lift, push, etc.) O Posture O Speed of motion
Since these factors interact in a complex fashion, and the effect of each is only empirically known for some factors, biomechanical models have been proposed and used to assist in predicting the strength capability of a specified population of people (older men, small women, etc.) in a variety of ergonomic design scenarios.
