Characterizing Local Dynamic Stability of Lumbar Spine Sub-regions During Repetitive Trunk Flexion-Extension Movements

Abstract

Using a technique of tracking intersegmental spine kinematics via skin surface markers, this study aimed to estimate local dynamic spine stability across smaller sub-regions (or segments) of the lumbar spine while also considering the impact of an external pelvic constraint during repetitive movements. Sixteen participants (10 males) performed two trials [Free Motion (FM), Pelvis Constrained (PC)] each consisting of 65 repetitive trunk flexion-extension movements to assess dynamic spine stability using maximum Lyapunov exponents (LyE). First, results indicated that LyE obtained from analysis of 30 repetitive flexion-extension movements did not differ from those obtained from analysis of greater numbers of repetitive movements, which aligns with results from a previous study for the whole lumbar spine. Next, for both males and females, and FM and PC trials, the most caudal region of the lumbar spine behaved the most dynamically stable, while upper lumbar regions behaved the most dynamically unstable. Finally, females demonstrated greater lumbar and intersegmental stability (lower LyE) during PC trials compared to FM, while males demonstrated slightly decreased lumbar and intersegmental stability (higher LyE) during PC trials compared to FM; this resulted in PC trials, but not FM trials, being different between sexes. Altogether, these data show that dynamic stability of lumbar spine sub-regions may be related to the proximity of the motion segment to rigid skeletal structures, and that consideration is needed when deciding whether to constrain the pelvis during analyses of dynamic spine stability.

Trunk Dynamic Stability Assessment for Individuals With and Without Nonspecific Low Back Pain During Repetitive Movement

“…One limitation for our study was that the participants were free to use their own lumbopelvic movement patterns without constraining their lower limb movements. There is evidence that constraining the pelvis/lower limbs can influence movement coordination and trunk stability (Larson et al, 2019). We have, therefore, allowed the participants to freely move their pelvis.…”

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“…4.2, pp. 63 -87, noviembre 2023 www.concienciadigital.org Así mismo, podemos ver que la estabilidad de nuestra columna vertebral, en especial de la columna lumbar, tiene mucho que ver con las estructuras cercanas, como el estudio de Larson et al (2019), realizado en Canadá; quien valoró a 16 individuos; 10 hombres y 6 mujeres. Tomando en cuenta la dinámica y la estabilidad de nuestra columna lumbar en movimientos libres y movimientos con contracción pélvica, demostrando así que, las estructuras óseas rígidas contiguas; en especial la relación de la pelvis con la columna lumbar es un punto a favor para mantenimiento de la estabilidad y correcta dinámica de movimientos de nuestra columna vertebral.…”