Abstract
Load-relaxation of the human trunk following prolonged flexion has been observed earlier, yet the adverse effects of such viscoelastic behaviors on performing demanding tasks (e.g. lifting) remain poorly understood. Theoretically, trunk stiffness reduces following flexion exposures and requires a compensatory increase in paraspinal muscle activation and spine loads. Here, a multi-segment model with nonlinear viscoelastic properties was developed. After evaluating the model, it was used to predict changes, due to a range of trunk flexion exposures, in several outcome measures (i.e. peak spine load, peak axial stiffness and absorbed energy) at L5/S1 during simulated lifting. All three measures increased during lifting following flexion exposures, including a ~ 9% (~ 284 N) increase in spine loads, and these changes were magnified by increasing flexion duration and angle. These results support prior epidemiological evidence that occupational low back injury risk is elevated when prolonged trunk flexion along with lifting are required. Further, the dependency of spine loads on loading conditions was determined in response to several flexion angles and loading durations. The current modeling approach is considered as an initial step toward implementing Kelvin-solid models in future viscoelastic spine models.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 1350022 |
Journal | Journal of Musculoskeletal Research |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomechanics
- Internal loads
- Lifting
- Lumbar spine
- Prolonged task
- Viscoelastic
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine