Different Spatial Characteristic Changes in Lumbopelvic Kinematics Before and After Fatigue: Comparison Between People with and Without Low Back Pain

Bioengineering, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12030214 · Published: February 20, 2025

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how the movement of the lower back and pelvis changes with fatigue in people with and without low back pain. The lumbopelvic region is crucial for functional activities. Participants performed forward-backward bending before and after a fatigue-inducing task (repetitive lifting). Researchers measured the motion of the vertebrae relative to the pelvis. The findings help understand how low back pain affects the way people move and how the body adapts to fatigue, potentially leading to better treatments.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

23 LBP patients and 19 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Fatigue significantly altered lumbopelvic kinematics, specifically anterior/posterior translation and rotation around the z-axis, in both groups.
2
Healthy individuals showed kinematic changes across a wider range of the bending cycle compared to LBP patients.
3
Patients with LBP exhibited fewer kinematic changes in the lumbo-pelvic region before and after fatigue compared to healthy participants.

Research Summary

This study compared lumbopelvic kinematics in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP) before and after fatigue. Repetitive lifting induced fatigue, significantly affecting lumbopelvic kinematics in both healthy individuals and LBP patients. The study suggests that kinematic changes after fatigue may indicate protective compensation or vulnerability related to LBP dysfunction.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Protocols

Findings are relevant to rehabilitation aimed at improving lumbopelvic stability and reducing LBP risk.

Strengthening Exercises

Targeting paraspinal muscles and moderate physical exercise may improve lumbopelvic control and stability.

Understanding LBP Mechanisms

The results offer insight into the kinematic stability of the lumbopelvic joint associated with lifting-induced fatigue and its interaction with LBP.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of whole-body motion analysis from electromyography and motion capture.
2
Subjective fatigue evaluation using the Borg scale.
3
Limited assessment of lumbopelvic kinematics in degrees of freedom beyond flexion-extension.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Pain Management