Torso flexion loads and the fatigue failure of human lumbosacral motion segments

Spine loads associated with lifting a 9-kg weight were estimated at three torso flexion angles (0 degrees, 22.5 degrees, and 45 degrees), and lumbosacral motion segments were cyclically loaded using these loads until failure or to a maximum of 10,020 cycles.

To simulate the postures and loads experienced by the lumbar spine during repetitive lifting of moderate weights in different torso flexion postures, and to analyze the fatigue failure response of lumbosacral motion segments.

Previous fatigue failure studies of lumbar motion segments have not reproduced the combination of spinal postures, loads, and load rates anticipated in different torso flexion postures during lifting tasks characteristic of those in occupational settings.

Twelve fresh human lumbosacral spines were dissected into three motion segments each (L1-L2, L3-L4, and L5-S1). Motion segments within each spine were randomly assigned to a simulated torso flexion angle (0 degrees, 22.5 degrees, or 45 degrees) using a partially balanced incomplete block experimental design. Spinal load and load rate were determined for each torso flexion angle using previously collected data from an EMG-assisted biomechanical model. Motion segments were creep loaded for 15 minutes, then cyclically loaded at 0.33 Hz. Fatigue life was taken as the number of cycles to failure (10 mm displacement after creep loading). Specimens were inspected to determine failure mechanisms.

The degree of torso flexion had a dramatic impact on cycles to failure. Motion segments experiencing the 0 degrees torso flexion condition averaged 8,253 cycles to failure (+/-2,895), while the 22.5 degrees torso flexion angle averaged 3,257 (+/-4,443) cycles to failure, and motion segments at the 45 degrees torso flexion angle lasted only 263 cycles (+/-646), on average. The difference was significant at P < 0.0001, and torso flexion accounted for 50% of the total variance in cycles to failure.

Fatigue failure of spinal tissues can occur rapidly when the torso is fully flexed during occupational lifting tasks; however, many thousands of cycles can be tolerated in a neutral posture. Future lifting recommendations should be sensitive to rapid development of fatigue failure in torso flexion.