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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human Physiology
  • Space Medicine

Background:

  • The human spine's motor control is crucial for stability and movement.
  • Understanding adaptations to altered gravitational environments is vital for space exploration and terrestrial applications.
  • Previous research has explored some aspects of spinal response to gravity changes, but comprehensive analysis of motor control indicators is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the lumbar spinal motor control responses under hypergravity and microgravity conditions.
  • To quantify changes in spinal stiffness, muscle activity, and lumbar curvature during parabolic flights.
  • To elucidate the role of spinal motor control adaptations in varying gravitational environments.

Main Methods:

  • Measurements of lumbar spinal stiffness using impulse response on the L3 vertebra.
  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) to record activity of erector spinae, multifidi, transversus abdominis, and psoas muscles.
  • Distance sensors on a full-body harness to measure lumbar curvature.
  • Parabolic flights to induce brief periods of hypergravity and microgravity.

Main Results:

  • Significant effects of gravity condition on spinal stiffness, muscle activity, and lumbar curvature were observed (p < 0.007).
  • Spinal stiffness decreased in hypergravity (p < 0.001) and increased in microgravity (p < 0.001).
  • All measured muscles showed increased activity in hypergravity (p < 0.001). In microgravity, multifidi and transversus abdominis activity increased significantly (p < 0.001), while psoas and erector spinae showed no significant difference.
  • Lumbar curvature flattened in both hypergravity and microgravity, with distinct changes in sensor distances indicating different flattening mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Both hypergravity and microgravity significantly alter lumbar spinal motor control.
  • Reduced spinal stiffness in hypergravity suggests a load shift to the pelvis and thoracic cage.
  • Increased activity in multifidi and psoas muscles during microgravity appears critical for maintaining spinal integrity.
  • These findings highlight the dynamic adaptations of the spinal motor system to gravitational challenges.