Investigating the effects of slipping on lumbar muscle activity, kinematics, and kinetics

Slips, trips, and falls remain leading causes of occupational injuries and fatalities. The current exploratory study quantified lumbar kinematics and kinetics during both induced slips and normal walking. Individual anthropometry, lumbar muscle geometry, and lumbar kinematics, along with electromyography of 14 lumbar muscles were used as input to a 3D, dynamic, EMG-based model of the lumbar spine. Results indicated that, in comparison with values during normal walking, lumbar kinematics, lumbosacral kinetics, lumbar muscle activations, and lumbosacral reaction forces were all substantially increased during a slip event. Observed levels of muscle activity and lumbosacral reaction forces suggest the potential for low back injury during a slip event. Outcomes of this work may facilitate the identification and control of specific mechanisms involved with low back disorders consequent to a slip.

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