Effect of whole-body vibration at different frequencies on the lumbar spine: A finite element study based on a whole human body model

Abstract

Many previous studies have found that occupational drivers commonly suffered from low back pain, and low back pain and degeneration of the intervertebral disc might be associated with vibration conditions. However, the biomechanical mechanisms of whole-body vibration that caused pain and injury were not clear. In this study, a validated whole human body finite element model was used, and vibration loads at frequencies of 3, 5, 7 and 9 Hz were loaded to evaluate the frequency effects on the spine. The results showed that the responses of the spine were strong at the 5 Hz vibration load. Vibration loads would produce alternating stresses and bulges in the annulus fibrosus and change the direction of the pressure in the nucleus pulposus. The posterior region of the intervertebral disc showed greater stress fluctuations than the anterior region. The Risk Factors showed that long-term exposure to whole-body vibrations at 5 and 7 Hz might have greater adverse effects on the spine. The findings of this study confirmed that vibrations near the resonance frequency of the human body would cause more injuries to the spine than other frequencies. Alternating stress and bulge might cause fatigue and the degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which might be the mechanisms of spinal injury caused by whole-body vibration, and the posterior regions of the intervertebral disc were more susceptible to degeneration. Some appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the adverse effects of whole-body vibration on spinal health.

Vibration therapy to improve pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, we still need to carefully explain the results of this study. Firstly, regarding the parameter settings of vibration therapy, some studies have reported that vibration close to the resonant frequency of the human body can cause damage to the spine [ 47 ] and that exposure to whole-body vibration in the work environment may lead to low back pain [ 48 ]. Kim et al [ 49 ] also concluded that there is a very strong correlation between irregular vibration and musculoskeletal disorders, especially the occurrence of LBP.…”

Prediction of the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar spine under multi‐axis whole‐body vibration using a whole‐body finite element model

“…These results were consistent with some previous studies, 47,48 which indicated that the human body was more sensitive to low-frequency vibrations. The human body would produce large stresses and deformations under the vibration at resonance frequencies, 53 which may not be suitable for analysing the effects of multi-axial vibration. Therefore, the frequencies of the acceleration loads were chosen to be 2, 4 and 6 Hz to avoid resonance frequencies.…”