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Related Experiment Videos

Neuromuscular dysfunction elicited by cyclic lumbar flexion.

Lakiesha N Claude1, Moshe Solomonow, Bing-He Zhou

  • 1Bioengineering Laboratory, Occupational Medicine Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2025 Gravier Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.

Muscle & Nerve
|March 14, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Repetitive lumbar flexion in workers can cause low back disorder. This study shows passive spine flexion causes tissue creep and muscle spasms, explaining cumulative trauma disorders.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Idiopathic low back disorder is prevalent in workers performing repetitive lifting.
  • Existing models lack neurophysiological and biomechanical explanations for this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an in vivo model explaining the neurophysiological and biomechanical factors in idiopathic low back disorder.
  • To investigate the effects of passive cyclic lumbar spine flexion on viscoelastic tissues and muscle reflex activity.

Main Methods:

  • Passive cyclic flexion of feline lumbar spine at 0.1 Hz for 20 minutes.
  • Measurement of viscoelastic tissue creep (supraspinous ligament) and electromyogram (EMG) activity of multifidus muscles.
  • Assessment of recovery after a 7-hour rest period and effects of increasing peak load.

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Main Results:

  • Cyclic flexion induced viscoelastic tissue creep and multifidus muscle spasms superimposed on decreasing EMG.
  • Full recovery of viscoelastic creep and reflex activity was not achieved after 7 hours, with delayed hyperexcitability observed.
  • Increased peak load exacerbated tissue creep and prolonged recovery but did not affect spasm development or initial hyperexcitability.

Conclusions:

  • Damage to viscoelastic tissues may trigger inflammation, leading to transient neuromuscular disorders.
  • Findings provide a biomechanical and neurophysiological basis for idiopathic low back disorder and cumulative trauma in workers.
  • The model highlights the role of passive tissue creep and altered neuromuscular response in repetitive lifting injuries.