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Related Experiment Videos

Changes in segment mass and mass distribution during pregnancy

R K Jensen1, S Doucet, T Treitz

  • 1Centre for Research in Human Development, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Biomechanics
|February 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Pregnancy significantly alters body segment masses and moments of inertia, particularly in the lower trunk. Understanding these changes is key to comprehending altered maternal movement dynamics during pregnancy.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human Physiology
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy significantly impact body composition and biomechanics.
  • Quantifying changes in body segment properties is crucial for understanding altered movement patterns in pregnant individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the rates of change in estimated masses and principal moments of inertia of body segments during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
  • To analyze how these changes affect intersegmental dynamics during functional movements.

Main Methods:

  • A biomechanical model of the pregnant body using 16 stacked elliptical cylinders was employed.
  • Linear regressions were fitted to segment inertias, and rates of change were determined for individual growth curves.

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  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests were used to compare rates of change between body segments.

    • Main Results:

    • The lower trunk mass increased at a mean rate of 0.29 kg/week, and its transverse axis principal moment of inertia increased at 0.0069 kg m²/week.
    • Significant differences were found in the rates of change of mass and principal moments of inertia across body segments.
    • The lower trunk showed a significantly greater rate of increase in inertia compared to other segments during the second and third trimesters.

    Conclusions:

    • Pregnancy-induced changes in body segment mass and inertia, especially in the lower trunk, are substantial.
    • These biomechanical alterations likely influence maternal movement strategies and require further investigation.
    • Understanding individual changes in segment inertias can improve insights into movement adaptations during pregnancy.