Noone G, Mazumdar J, Ghista DN, Tansley GD. Asymmetrical loads and lateral bending of the human spine.
Med Biol Eng Comput 1993;
31 Suppl:S131-6. [PMID:
8231316 DOI:
10.1007/bf02446661]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The human spine is modelled as a cantilever-type beam column. Under the influence of static asymmetrical loads, muscle and low-back forces are predicted from a hypothetical but revealing model. Such forces produced by asymmetrical loads are much larger than for a corresponding symmetrical load. Asymmetrical loads can encourage, especially in young schoolchildren, lateral bending of the spine by alleviating muscle and low-back forces. This could possibly be a factor contributing to the surprisingly high percentage of schoolchildren with measurable scoliotic curves. The wearing of knapsack-type bags is advocated.
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