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The Effects of Body Weight on Spinal Loads

Haji Hosseinali, Majid | 2013

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 44277 (08)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Mechanical Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Farahmand, Farzam; Narimani, Roya
  7. Abstract:
  8. Using biomechanical models is one of the most effective ways to analyze and assessment of spinal loads in occupational and daily activities. In spite of many advances in the spine modeling, personal factors especially body weight are ignored in most studies. Epidemiological studies show that high body weight is a very strong risk factor of low back pain (LBP) and disc degeneration. There are only few studies that evaluate the relationship between spinal loads and body weight. The goal of this study is analyzing the effect of body weight on spinal load. A detailed musculoskeletal model of lumbar spine with 18 degree of freedom and 76 muscles was developed. This model consists of two parts which are anatomical model and musculoskeletal model. Moment arms of muscles and weight of trunk are revised regarding to body weight in anatomical model. Muscle forces are predicted in musculoskeletal model. Recruitment algorithm can predict muscle forces that satisfy equilibrium and stability of the spine simultaneously. Therefore, the activity of antagonist muscles are predictable and muscle forces are calculated more accurately. Equilibrium and stability equations are verified in AnyBody Modeling System and Abaqus respectively. In the next step, the model is customized for each specific body weight using previous anatomic studies. The results of current study show that spinal loads increase by increasing body weight (BMI>30) in the same postures. However, heavier people can perform more demanded tasks. Furthermore, the level of stability is lower in heavier people. Therefore, heavy people are vulnerable spine disorders more than thin people whether in light or heavy tasks and postures, because stability level is lower in light tasks and spinal loads are larger in heavy tasks for heavier people
  9. Keywords:
  10. Lumbar ; Stability ; Optimization ; Personal Factors ; Body Weight ; Musculoskeletal Modeling

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