Passive stiffness of the lumber torso in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial roatation:​ effect of belt wearing and breath holding

McGill, Stuart<sup>1</sup>; Seguin, John<sup>1</sup>; Bennett, Greg<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹Occupational Biomechanics Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, Univeristy of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada

²Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Univeristy of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract and keywords

This work investigated the passive bending properties of the intact human torso about its three principal exes of flexion: extension, laterla bending, and axil rotation. Additionally, the effects of wearing an abdominal belt and holding the breath (full inhalation) on trunk stiffness was investigated. The torsos of 22 males and 15 females were subjected to bending moments while “floating” in a frictionless jig with isolated torso bending measured with a magnetiv device. Belts and breth holding appear to stiffen the torso about the lateral bending and axial roation axes but not in flexion or extension. Torsos are stiffer in lateral bending and capable of storing greater elastic energy. Regression equations were formulated to define stifiness and energy stored for input to biomechanical models that examine low back function and for bioengineers designing hardware for stabillzation and barcing or investigation of traumatic events such as automobile collsion.

Keywords: lumbar stiffness; belts; torso; breath hold

Links

DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199403001-00009

PubMed: 8009335

WoS: A1994NC20600009

History

Accepted: 1993-09-30

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Cited By (21)

Year	Entry
1996	Cholewicki J, McGill SM. Mechanical stability of the in vivo lumbar spine: implications for injury and chronic low back pain. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). January 1996;11(1):1-15.
2004	Stokes IAF, Iatridis JC. Mechanical conditions that accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration: overload versus immobilization. Spine. December 1, 2004;29(23):2724-2732.
2017	Schmidt AL. Assessing the Injury Tolerance of the Human Spine [PhD thesis]. Duke University; 2017.
2015	Shahvarpour A. Biomechanical Response of Trunk Under Perturbations and in Challenged Seated Balance [PhD thesis]. École polytechnique de Montréal; November 2015.
2018	Diesbourg TL. Age-Related Differences in Passive Trunk Stiffness, Seated Spine Postures, and Muscle Recruitment Patterns [PhD thesis]. Queen's University; October 2018.
2022	Bianco NA. Simulating Exoskeletons to Assist Walking: Tools and Applications [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; December 2022.
2008	Apperley S. Differential Functioning of Deep and Superficial Lumbar Multifidus Fibres During Vertebral Indentation Perturbations [Master's thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; June 2008.
2007	Good CA. Biomechanics of Occupant Loading by Pre-Crash Motorized Shoulder Belt Tensioning [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; 2007.
2009	Metzger MF. Evaluation of Spinal Reconstructive Surgeries Using Multi-Body System Dynamics [PhD thesis]. San Francisco, University of California; 2009.
1998	Reed MP. Statistical and Biomechanical Prediction of Automobile Driving Posture [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 1998.
2002	Grenier SG. Stabilization Strategies of the Lumbar Spine in Vivo [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2002.
2006	Howarth SJ. Locating Instability in the Lumbar Spine: Characterizing the Eigenvector [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2006.
2008	Brown SHM. Examining the Neuromuscular and Mechanical Characteristics of the Abdominal Musculature and Connective Tissues: Implications for Stiffening the Lumbar Spine [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2008.
2008	Drake JDM. Axial Twist Loading of the Spine: Modulators of Injury Mechanisms and the Potential for Pain Generation [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2008.
2008	Parkinson RJ. Refining the Relationship Between the Mechanical Demands on the Spine and Injury Mechanisms Through Improved Estimates of Load Exposure and Tissue Tolerance [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2008.
2010	Moreside JM. The Effect of Limited Hip Mobility on the Lumbar Spine in a Young Adult Population [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2010.
2014	Gallagher KM. The Relationships of Prolonged Standing Induced Low Back Pain Development With Lumbopelvic Posture and Movement Patterns [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2014.
2014	Gooyers CE. Exploring Interactions Between Force, Repetition and Posture on Low Back Joint Loading and Intervertebral Disc Injury [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2014.
2018	Gruevski KM. The Aging Spine: The Effect of Cyclic Loading, Simulated Degeneration and Prolonged Sitting on Joint Stiffness Across Age [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2018.
2020	Fewster KM. Exploring Low to Moderate Velocity Motor Vehicle Rear Impacts as a Viable Injury Mechanism in the Lumbar Spine [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2020.
2021	Islam SU. Significance of the Neck in Concussive Head Impacts: A Computational Approach [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2021.