The biomechanical and physiological processes associated with the development of cumulative spinal disorders due to long term application of static and repetitive occupational loads to the spine will be investigated. It is hypothesized that spinal tissues, when exposed to creep / elongation due to repetitive or static loads, cause desensitization of sensory receptors within and consequent loss of reflexive muscular activity, rendering the spine exposed to instability and potential injury. Full recovery of the creep / elongation and muscle activity while resting between sequential work periods may not be possible, allowing the cumulative increase of residual creep / elongation over time to develop long lasting neuromuscular disorders. A five year experimental research program consisting of the in-vivo feline model will systematically explore the relationship between cumulative loads applied to spinal ligaments, discs, etc., in sequential static and cyclic work / rest periods as well as the following recovery in eight hours of rest to the activity level of paraspinal muscles and the disorders in their functions. The results of this research will provide strong insights into biomechanics and the neurophysiology of low back disorders in common occupational activities; provide an insight to the effect of sequential cumulative loads and daily rest on development of spinal disorder in the short and long term; and delineate optimal work / rest periods that may minimize or prevent the development of low back disorders in the most common occupational activities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01OH007622-04
Application #
6889589
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Frederick, Linda J
Project Start
2005-02-01
Project End
2008-07-31
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$284,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Orthopedics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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Solomonow, Moshe; Zhou, Bing He; Lu, Yun et al. (2012) Acute repetitive lumbar syndrome: a multi-component insight into the disorder. J Bodyw Mov Ther 16:134-47
D'Ambrosia, Peter; King, Karen; Davidson, Bradley et al. (2010) Pro-inflammatory cytokines expression increases following low- and high-magnitude cyclic loading of lumbar ligaments. Eur Spine J 19:1330-9
Pinski, Sarah E; King, Karen B; Davidson, Bradley S et al. (2010) High-frequency loading of lumbar ligaments increases proinflammatory cytokines expression in a feline model of repetitive musculoskeletal disorder. Spine J 10:1078-85
Solomonow, Moshe (2009) Ligaments: a source of musculoskeletal disorders. J Bodyw Mov Ther 13:136-54
Ben-Masaud, AbdAllah; Solomonow, Deborah; Davidson, Bradley et al. (2009) Motor control of lumbar instability following exposure to various cyclic load magnitudes. Eur Spine J 18:1022-34
Le, Brook; Davidson, Bradley; Solomonow, Deborah et al. (2009) Neuromuscular control of lumbar instability following static work of various loads. Muscle Nerve 39:71-82
Lu, Dawei; Le, Peter; Davidson, Bradley et al. (2008) Frequency of cyclic lumbar loading is a risk factor for cumulative trauma disorder. Muscle Nerve 38:867-74
Youssef, Jimmy; Davidson, Bradley; Zhou, Bing He et al. (2008) Neuromuscular neutral zones response to static lumbar flexion: muscular stability compensator. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 23:870-80