Gender differences in performance of a selection test using the incremental lifting machine

✍ Scribed by J.M. Stevenson; D.R. Greenhorn; J.T. Bryant; J.M. Deakin; J.T. Smith

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 943 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-6870
• DOI: 10.1016/0003-6870(95)00053-4

✦ Synopsis

The purpose of the study was twofold: (1) to examine any gender differences in the performance of a pre-emplalyment selection test using the incremental lifting machine (ILM); and ( 2) to formulate recommendations regarding analyses of selection fairness in studies of preemployment screening tests and devices. Data were collected in a series of studies designed to permit analyses of: (1) dynamic measures derived for a 1.8 m maximum ILM strength test; (2) relationships between ILM test scores and performance of a maximal box-lifting task using three different protocols; (3) the impact of anthropometric measures on performance of both test and task; (4) prediction of actual task performance; and (5) accuracy of the ILM screening test for three different cut-off standards. Results revealed that females differed significantly from males in their performance of a 1.8 m maximum ILM strength test in terms of timing, displacement, velocity, acceleration, force and power. Maximum ILM scores attained by females were ploorly correlated with maximum box-lifting scores, but they were significantly related to body weight. Also, regression analyses based on ILM scores and associated dynamic parameters accounted for twice as much variance in box-lifting scores for males than for females. Furthiermore, the use of cut-off standards of 22.7 kg and 27.3 kg produced a percentage of f:alse negative results for females (12% and 32% respectively), but not for males. Also, for the cut-off level of 27.3 kg, female selection rates were only 56% of the selection rates for males. Issaes for future investigation are recommended.