# BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LOWER BACK DURING TWISTING

> **NIH NIH R01** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 1993 · $133,790

## Abstract

There is growing epidemiological evidence that asymmetric loading
contributes to the increasing problem of low back pain in industry.  The
overall goal of the proposed research is to provide information that can
contribute to reducing low back pain resulting from asymmetric loading,
particularly twisting.  The investigations will analyze the biomechanics
of twisting and lateral bending.  Experiments will be conducted in which
biomechanical parameters will be measured in vivo.  Using those data and
refining currently available static biomechanical models, we will develop
and validate a model that can be used to both predict and determine the
tensions occurring in different trunk muscles during twisting and lateral
bending and the associated forces acting on the lumbar spine.  The model
will be used to interpret existing guidelines and also to provide the
scientific basis for further development of such guidelines.  The
specific objectives of the study are:

1. To experimentally analyze moments occurring in the lumbar spine during
asymmetric loading, and to measure muscle activities of trunk muscles
during these loads.

2. To refine the existing static trunk biomechanical models of lifting
to reflect new data on, 1) muscle, tendon, ligament and bone geometry;
2) muscle function during load handling; and 3) dynamic lifting
parameters estimated in research related to objected #1.

3. To validate the new trunk biomechanics model through experiments
involving asymmetric, static and dynamic trunk loads while measuring
trunk muscle myoelectric activity and estimating kinematic and kinetic
parameters.

4. To compare spinal model output with existing published guidelines
regarding lifting in various postures and asymmetric loading conditions,
so as to interpret these and provide a more scientific basis for such
guidelines in the future.

The study will be carried out at two institutions:  Rush-Presbyterian -
St. Luke's Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics, Chicago, Illinois
and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Department of Mechanical
Engineering and Center for Ergonomics, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The two
institutions will work closely together, as they have in the past decade,
with the main part of the experimental analysis taking part in Chicago
and the main part of the model development being done at the University
of Michigan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3159776
- **Project number:** 2R01AR039599-04A2
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C155UU2TXCP3
- **Principal Investigator:** Gunnar BJ Andersson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $133,790
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1988-08-01 → 1996-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3159776

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3159776, BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LOWER BACK DURING TWISTING (2R01AR039599-04A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3159776. Licensed CC0.

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