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Spinal lordosis optimizes the requirements for a stable erect posture
Heiko Wagner1, Anne Liebetrau, David Schinowski
1Motion Science, Westf, Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Horstmarer Landweg 62b, 48149 Münster. heiko.wagner@wwu.de
Theoretical Biology & Medical Modelling
|April 18, 2012
Summary
Lumbar lordosis, the spine
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Anatomy
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Lordosis is the lumbar spine's inward curve, developing in human infants during bipedal locomotion.
- This spinal curvature is also observed in macaques trained for bipedal walking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the developmental reasons for lumbar lordosis in humans and animals learning to walk bipedally.
Main Methods:
- Developed a musculoskeletal model of the lumbar spine.
- Incorporated asymmetric spinal column location, realistic moment arms, muscle PCSA, and force-velocity/length relationships.
- Analyzed upright body posture stability.
Main Results:
- Lordosis decreases local joint torques needed for vertebral column equilibrium in erect posture.
- Lordosis increases global muscle demand for maintaining stability.
Conclusions:
- Spinal lordosis development represents a balance between stability needs for erect posture and torque equilibrium at each spinal segment.
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