Abstract
During manual lifting tasks, extreme loads, intervertebral shear forces, repeated loading and improper lifting techniques all contribute to the risks of back pain and injuries. A three-dimensional (3D) multi-segment musculoskeletal model, which includes 49° of freedom (DOFs) and 258 muscle-tendon units, was developed in this study for simulating loading conditions of the lower back during manual lifting tasks. The model was created in OpenSim, an open-source computer simulation platform. The enhanced musculoskeletal model provides a tool for more comprehensive simulations of lifting motions. To evaluate the capacity of the model for estimation of spinal loading, the loading at the L3/L4–L5/S1 under different lifting tasks were examined and compared with published data. The results encourage the feasibility of applying the model to research questions relating to lumbar spine loading.
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