Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate how the forces required to stabilize the lumbar spine in the standing posture may be affected by variation in its shape. A two-dimensional model of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane was developed that included a simplified representation of the lumbar extensor muscles. The shape of the model was varied by changing both the magnitude and distribution of the lumbar curvature. The forces required to produce a resultant load traveling along a path as close to the vertebral body centroids as possible (a follower load) were determined. In general, the forces required to produce a follower load increased as the curvature became larger and more evenly distributed. The results suggest that the requirements of the lumbar muscles to maintain spinal stability in vivo will vary between individuals. This has implications for understanding the role of spinal curvature and muscle atrophy in back pain.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1250013 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of mechanics in medicine and biology |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2012 |
Keywords
- lumbar spine
- shape
- model
- muscle forces
- stability
- follower load
Cite this
Modeling the effect of variation in sagittal curvature on the force required to produce a follower load in the lumbar spine. / Meakin, Judith R.; Aspden, Richard M.
In: Journal of mechanics in medicine and biology, Vol. 12, No. 1, 1250013, 03.2012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Modeling the effect of variation in sagittal curvature on the force required to produce a follower load in the lumbar spine
AU - Meakin, Judith R.
AU - Aspden, Richard M.
PY - 2012/3
Y1 - 2012/3
N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate how the forces required to stabilize the lumbar spine in the standing posture may be affected by variation in its shape. A two-dimensional model of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane was developed that included a simplified representation of the lumbar extensor muscles. The shape of the model was varied by changing both the magnitude and distribution of the lumbar curvature. The forces required to produce a resultant load traveling along a path as close to the vertebral body centroids as possible (a follower load) were determined. In general, the forces required to produce a follower load increased as the curvature became larger and more evenly distributed. The results suggest that the requirements of the lumbar muscles to maintain spinal stability in vivo will vary between individuals. This has implications for understanding the role of spinal curvature and muscle atrophy in back pain.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate how the forces required to stabilize the lumbar spine in the standing posture may be affected by variation in its shape. A two-dimensional model of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane was developed that included a simplified representation of the lumbar extensor muscles. The shape of the model was varied by changing both the magnitude and distribution of the lumbar curvature. The forces required to produce a resultant load traveling along a path as close to the vertebral body centroids as possible (a follower load) were determined. In general, the forces required to produce a follower load increased as the curvature became larger and more evenly distributed. The results suggest that the requirements of the lumbar muscles to maintain spinal stability in vivo will vary between individuals. This has implications for understanding the role of spinal curvature and muscle atrophy in back pain.
KW - lumbar spine
KW - shape
KW - model
KW - muscle forces
KW - stability
KW - follower load
U2 - 10.1142/S0219519412004466
DO - 10.1142/S0219519412004466
M3 - Article
VL - 12
JO - Journal of mechanics in medicine and biology
JF - Journal of mechanics in medicine and biology
SN - 0219-5194
IS - 1
M1 - 1250013
ER -