Reciprocal Relationships between Spine Muscle Design, Remodeling and Spine Stability

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The primary long-term goal of this research program is to develop an understanding of how spinal muscles adapt to changes in the spine and its surroundings, and of how these muscle adaptations affect the mechanical behaviour and function of spinal tissues. Muscles of the back and abdominal region demonstrate a unique design and function differently from many other muscles of the body, and have an important role in maintaining the stability of the spine. Indeed, the spine is a highly unstable structure that cannot function in the absence of a strong and coordinated set of muscles. There are a number of naturally occurring states that place high demand on these muscles which, in turn, can necessitate adaptation and subsequently alter their ability to stabilize the spine. Similarly, a change in the natural stability level of the spine can stimulate adaptation in the spinal muscles. Spinal stability can therefore be viewed as a natural mechanical and physiological interaction between the spine and its muscles, which defines the structure and function of the spine, abdominal and pelvic regions. The short-term focus of this grant is designed to answer questions relating to how adaptation occurs in the spinal muscles in response to varying magnitudes of spinal stability. Basic scientific studies will be conducted, in a rat model, to progressively alter (decrease or increase) the level of stability in the spine. Measurements will be taken of structural changes in the muscles at the protein-level, which determine their force and movement-generating abilities, as well as changes to the mechanical properties of the muscles and surrounding connective tissues, which determine their effectiveness in transmitting force and stiffening the spine. These animal-based studies will be partnered with studies of human volunteers, which will use measurements of muscle electrical activity and spine movement to gain insight into how muscles respond to different tasks that challenge spine stability. This will provide novel information regarding mechanisms of muscle adaptation and resulting changes in spine mechanical behaviour and usage patterns.