No abstract

The results of this study increase understanding of the risk factors associated with low back disorder induced by labor-intensive occupations that involve cyclic lateral twisting.

Neuromuscular control of lumbar stability following exposure to prolonged static work, under low and high loads, was assessed in the in vivo feline model. Six sessions of 10 min work at 20N with 10 min between rest was compared to a group subjected to the same protocol but carrying high loads of 60N. Displacement and tension developed in the spine at the instant the multifidus muscles applied stabilizing contractions, and their amplitudes were obtained from their electromyogram (EMG). Significant (P < 0.001) laxity developed in the various viscoelastic tissues of the lumbar spine that did not recover during and up to 7 h of rest postwork. Simultaneously, there was a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in muscular activity in the 3-4 h immediately postwork under low load but only during the first hour in the high load group. After that period the musculature compensated for the laxity of the viscoelastic tissues by a significant (P < 0.001) increase in activity in the high-load group and a nonsignificant increase in the low group. It was concluded that during 1-3 h immediately poststatic work a significant decrease in the stabilizing function of viscoelastic tissues together with a significant decrease in muscular activity is present, and they render the spine unstable and exposed to high risk of injury. Performance of prolonged static work under low loads, while not harmful during the work, cannot be designated as a "no-risk" condition, as it may result in injury postwork.

The motor control system may compensate for lumbar instability following cyclic work with differential response to load magnitude. In vivo felines were exposed to a cumulative 1 h of cyclic work at 0.25 Hz. One group exposed to light whereas the second to heavy load while recording lumbar displacement and multifidus EMG during work and in single test cycles over 7 h rest post-work. Significant laxity and reduced reflexive EMG activity were evident immediately post-work in both groups. EMG and laxity recovered over 7 h rest in the group exposed to light load whereas in the group exposed to heavy load, motor control compensation was triggered within 1-2 h postwork. The compensation was expressed by earlier and stronger muscular activation than in baseline. It is concluded that cyclic work is deleterious to spine stability immediately after work. Work with heavy loads elicits delayed motor control compensation whereas work with light loads leaves the spine unstable and exposed to injury for several hours. Overall, prolonged cyclic or repetitive work elicits a transient instability disorder, regardless of the load handled, exposing the individual to potential injury.