Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Biomechanics

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Appropriate neuromuscular control and musculoskeletal responses of the thoracic and lumbar spine are essential to complete work and everyday tasks without injury. Labour injury statistics across Canada show low back pain (LBP) consistently represented the largest number of workplace related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) claims (~18%) and had a total costs over $2 billion/year in 2014. If you consider the incidence of LBP increases with age, coupled to the Statistics Canada estimate that by 2027 30% of the Canadian population will be over 55 years, we must improve the knowledge about spine function now. The most far-reaching impact of my research program is the contribution to the fundamental knowledge of thoracic and lumbar spine musculoskeletal and neuromuscular control responses under conditions representing workplace risk factors. The foundational knowledge I generate deepens our understanding of the spine, which will reduce WRMSDs and costs to Canadians. ******My program examines the structure, control, and function of the thoracic and lumbar spine, to characterize the mechanisms underlying how healthy systems respond to a range of loading. I investigate the effects of age, sex, cognitive-motor task interference, and fatigue. The inclusion of the thoracic spine in my investigations is a novel aspect of my work, as is the novel method we developed to accurately quantify twist in-vivo. The novel method we developed to measure in-vivo spine twist has huge implications for rapidly increasing our understanding of this dangerous risk factor occurring in workplaces. Other methods are typical biomechanical approaches, including 3D motion capture for joint kinematics, muscle activation, and structural whole-body MRI. The empirical data and understanding of spine function generated from my program can be incorporated into existing lumbar spine models (expand to include thoracic spine impact) and can set parameters for in-vitro spine testing (to test injury mechanism theory). By reaching my research goals, developing a thriving research team (that includes high quality student trainees), and publishing in excellent journals, my research program will continue to make new discoveries and have a major impact on biomechanics and ergonomic fields. My program is the sole program worldwide to focus on thoracic spine mechanics, neuromuscular control, and interplay with lumbar spine, and twisting exposures to identify potential and understand existing spine injury mechanisms.