Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Multiple Muscle Systems pp 438–450Cite as

Postural Biomechanical Stability and Gross Muscular Architecture in the Spine

  • Chapter

Abstract

Consider a ligamentous thoracolumbar spine specimen, sacrum-T1, fixed at the sacrum and carrying a load at T1. It has been determined experimentally that such a spine buckles when the load reaches a critical value of about 20 N (Lucas and Bresler, 1961). Or consider a lumbar spine specimen, sacrum-T1, its critical load is less than 90 N (Crisco, 1989; Crisco, et al., 1990). On the other hand, we have a world-class weight lifter who can carry more than 3000 N without damaging the spine (Granhed et al., 1987). Simply stated, the difference between the two behaviors is the spinal muscles. The same is true in another example. Compare a healthy normal person and a polio patient. The latter, with the back muscles paralyzed, cannot even hold his/her own trunk in the upright position. The important role of the muscles as the stabilizers of the spine is unquestioned and essential for its function. A deficiency in either muscle function or bony-ligamentous function will eventually lead to disabling clinical problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • An, K.N., Hui, F.C., Momey, B.F., Linscheid, R.L. and Chao, E.Y. (1981) Muscles across the elbow joint: a biomechanical analysis. J. Biomech. 14: 659–669.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, G., Ortengren, R. and Nachemson, A. (1977) Intradiskal pressure, intra-abdominal pressure and myoelectric back muscle activity related to posture and loading. Clin. Ortho. Res. 129: 156–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agarwal, G.C. and Gottlieb, G.L. (1977) Oscillation of the human ankle joint in response to applied sinusoidal torque on the foot. J. Physiol. Lond., 268: 151–176.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basmajian, J.V. and Deluca, C. (1982) Muscles Alive: Their Function Revealed by Electromyography. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmaik, A. (1987) Mechanical stability of the human lumbar spine. Doctoral Dissertation, Lund Institute of Technology, Department of Solid Mechanics, Lund, Sweeden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmark, A. (1989) Stability of the lumbar spine. A study in mechanical engineering. Acta Ortho. Scand. No. 230, Vol. 60, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogduk N and Twomey LT (1987) Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine. Churchill Livingston, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, D.S. (1980) Spinal stability: orthopaedic perspective and prevention. Clin. Neurosurg. 27: 591–610.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Broberg, K.B. (1981) The mechanical behavior of the spinal system. Report from the division of solid mechanics, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweeden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannon, S.C. and Zahalak, G.I. (1982) The mechanical behavior of active human skeletal muscle in small oscillations. J. Biomech. 15: 111–121.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crisco, J.J., Panjabi, M.M., Yamamoto, I., Oxland, T.R. (1990) The Euier stability of the lumbar spine: Part II. Experiment (in preparation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisco, J.J. (1989) The biomechanical stability of the human lumbar spine: experimental and theoretical investigations. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, W.F. and Silver, P.H.S. (1955) The function of the erectores spinae muscles in certain movements and postures in man. J. Physiol. 129: 184–203.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frymoyer, J.W., Pope, M.H., and Wilder, D.G. (1988) Segmental Instability. The Lumbar Spine, ISLS, WB Saunders, Orlando, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granhed H., Johnson, R., Hansson, T. (1987) The loads on the lumbar spine during extreme weight lifting. Spine 12: 146–149.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greene, P.R. and McMahon, T.A. (1979) Reflex stiffness of man’s anti-gravity muscles during kneebends while carrying extra weights. J. Biomech. 12: 881–891.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffer, J.S. and Andreassen (1981) Regulation of soleus muscle stiffness in premammillary cats: intrinsic and reflex components. J. Neurophys. 45: 267–285.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holdsworth, F. (1970) Fractures, dislocations, and fracture-dislocations of the spine. J. Bone and Joint Surg. 52-A: 1534–1551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houk, J.C. (1979) Regulation of stiffness by skeletomotor reflexes. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 41: 99–114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. and Chaffin, D.B. (1988) Conditions under which optimization models will not predict coactivation of antagonist muscles. Proc. Am. Soc. Biomech. University of Illinois, Uibana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, I.W. and Kearney, R.E. (1983) Invariance of ankle dynamic stiffness during fatiquing muscle contractions. J. Biomech. 16: 985–991.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joyce, G.C., Rack, P.M.H. and Westbury, D.R. (1969) The mechanical properties of cat soleus muscle during controlled lengthening and shortening movements. J. Physiol. 204: 461–474.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keele, K.D. (1983) Leonardo da Vinci’s Elements of the Science of Man. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiikaldy-Willis, W.H. and Farfan, H.F. (1982) Instability of the lumbar spine. Clin. Ortho. 165: 110–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, D.B. and Bresler, B. (1960) Stability of the ligamentous spine. Technical Report ser. 11 No. 40, Biomechanics Laboratory, Univ. California, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, T.A. and Greene, P.R. (1978) Fast running tracks. Sci. Amer. 239: 148–163.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D.L. (1977) Separation of active and passive components of short-range stiffness of muscle. Am. J.Physiol. 232: 45–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, T.R. and Houk J.C. (1976) Improvement in linearity and regulation of stiffness that results from action of the stretch reflex. J. Neurophy. 39: 119–142.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nitz, A.J. and Peck, D. (1986) Comparison of muscle spindle concentrations in large and small human epaxial muscles acting in parallel combinations. American Surgeon 52: 273–277.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Panjabi, M.M., Thibodeau, L.L., Crisco, J.J. and White, A.A. (1988) What constitutes spinal instability? Clin. Neurosurg. 34: 313–339.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Panjabi, M.M., Hausfeld, J.N., White, A.A. (1981) A biomechanical study of the ligamentous stability of the thoracic spine in man. Acta Orthop. Scand. 52: 315–326.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, M.H. and Panjabi, M.M. (1985) Biomechanical definitions of spinal instability. Spine 10: 255–256.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Posner, I., White, A., Edwards, T. and Hayes, W. (1982) A biomechanical analysis of the clinical stability of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. Spine 7: 374–389.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rack, P.M.H. and Westbury, D.R. (1969) The effects of length and stimulus rate on tension in the isometric cat soleus muscle. J Physiol. 204: 443–460.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, A., Cromwell, R., Warwick, D. and Andersson, G. (1987) Lumbar trunk muscle use in standing isometric heavy exertions. J. Ortho. Res. 5: 320–329.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serroussi, R. and Pope, M. (1987) The relationship between trunk muscle electromyograhy and lifting moments in the sagittal and frontal planes. J. Biomech. 20: 135–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherrington, C.S. (1909) On reciprocal innervation. In D. Denny-Brown (ed), Selected Writtings of Sir Charles Sherrington, P.B. Hoeber, New Yoik, 1940, pp 237–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, H.B., Wyatt, M.P., Hodgdon, J.A., Conard, D.W. and Barrack, R.L. (1986) Effect of fatique on joint position sense of the knee. J. Ortho. Res. 4: 112–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, R.B. (1982) What muscle variable(s) does the nervous system control in limb movements? Behav. Brain Sci. 5: 535–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Ingen Schenau, G.J., Bobbeit, M.F., Ettema, G.J., De Graaf, J.B. and Huijing, P.A. (1988) A simulation of rat edl force output based on intrinsic muscle properties. J. Biomech. 21: 815–824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, A.A., Johnson, R.M., Panjabi, M.M. and Southwick, W.O. (1975) Biomechanical analysis of clinical stability in the cervical spine. Clin. Ortho. 109: 85–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, A.A. and Panjabi, M.M. (1978) Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine. JB Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteside, T.E. (1977) Traumatic kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine. Clin. Ortho. Related Res. 128: 78–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilder, D. (1985) On loading of the Human Lumbar Intervertebral Motion Segment. Ph.D. Dissertation, Civil and Mechanical Engineering Dept, Univ of Vermont.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woittiez, R.D., Brand, C., Haan, de A., Hollander, A.P., Huijing, P.A., Tak, R. van der and Rijnsburger, W.H. (1987) A multipurpose muscle ergometer. J. Biomech. 20: 215–218.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Joseph John Crisco III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manohar M. Panjabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Department of Chemical, Bio., and Materials Engineering, Arizona State University, 85287-6006, Tempe, Arizona, USA

    Jack M. Winters

  2. Department of Surgery Division of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, 92093, La Jolla, California, USA

    Savio L-Y. Woo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Springer-Verlag

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Crisco, J.J., Panjabi, M.M. (1990). Postural Biomechanical Stability and Gross Muscular Architecture in the Spine. In: Winters, J.M., Woo, S.LY. (eds) Multiple Muscle Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9030-5_26

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9030-5_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-9032-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-9030-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation