PILE Lifting Protocol
Thu, 01/20/2005 - 4:55pm
We are looking at using the PILE lifting protocol to evaluate frequent lifting but have some concerns about it. First, the original reference articles (in SPINE) outline that the client is to perform 4 "Lifting Movements" every 20 seconds whereas the description of the test provided with the PILE box and in Matheson's manual states the client is to complete 4 "Lifting Cycles" every 20 seconds. A lifting movement is defined as from one level to the next or from knuckle to shoulder whereas a lifting cycle is described as from one level to the next and back down to the original level. This difference makes a big difference in what is expected to be performed in 20 seconds. What is the correct pace?
We performed this test on one of our staff members, doing 4 lifting cycles in 20 seconds and continually adding weight until the "end point" was reached. This was done with a very fit and healthy individual who found the test to be very tiring - it was stopped for cardiovascular safety in the end. The way the test is described, it sounds like you are not to allow the person to rest in between lifts so you are continually lifting at a very fast rate. From our experience in using a protocol similar to EPIC is that the majority of our clients would need to stop the testing for cardiovascular reasons. Do you find this pace is unreasonable and possibly unrealistic, based on what a client may be expected to do at work? Is this pace safe for the injured population? Can one still complete the testing if the client is unable to lift at the stated pace?
Do people actually use the complicated calculations regarding work output for the PILE or do people just comment on the actual weight lifted? It seems to me that the calculated values would be confusing to a referral source and difficult to compare to job demands.
Finally, our shelving units cannot quite adjust to the exact heights outlined for the PILE. Can we modify the heights if we are not using the norms?
Thank you,
Jeremy McAllister
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 1:16pm
#2
Brian Mills
We are thinking of utilizing the Matheson/PILE for post offer testing and I have some questions. Upon putting this into action, I have a company that has a 70lb Frequent lift. My understanding tells me that I start the applicant at 13lbs upping the weight systematically to 70 lbs. In the process, it this individual gets to 50lbs and cannot place the 4 reps within 20 seconds (or reach cardiac end point), they would FAIL, correct? This would mean that this person is not physically capable to perform the applied position, correct?
Thanks,
Brian
Fri, 01/21/2005 - 6:07pm
#3
PILE Protocol
My Goodness! That's a lot of questions and I hope others can contribute as well.
1st - if you change any of the height etc then it's no longer the PILE protocol. Therefore, your conclusions can only be based on that one test of the person and do not stand up against any literature etc. This can be troublesome should your findings be challenged.
2nd - the PILE is a complete up-down cycle every 5 seconds and 4 in a row. I've tested hundreds of people, healthy and injured and had pretty good results. HR was rarely the reason for stopping - usually strength. The PILE is a rather amazing piece of work. Because it requires the cadence to be kept, proper mechanics to be maintained, cardio to be good and strength kept up as well, it actually stands up quite well. With people I have sent on gradual return to work plans or placed restrictions on them based on the functional findings in the clinical testing, I have had good success. :)
Brian, your description of the job requirements raises a couple of concerns for me. Be very clear with the employer about the 70 pound frequent lift. As we discussed in a webinar yesterday, there isn't an agreed upon definition of lift frequency. If the employer is defining it one way and you test it another, you have a Validity problem that may become an ADA problem.
I would only feel comfortable testing this demand if I knew how many reps per minute, hour and day were required. And, before using the PILE as your measure, do the heights of the lift match the demands of the job? If they are lifting from and to heights that do not match the test I would be concerned about validity.
The federal courts are hammering on validity of tests doing for post-offer and for RTW SJSE. Be very careful in designing your tests.