Recovering from Laboratory-Induced slips and trips causes high levels of lumbar muscle activity and spine loading

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most substantial and prevalent causes of occupational injuries and fatalities, and these events may contribute to low-back problems. We quantified lumbar kinematics (i.e., lumbar angles relative to pelvis) and kinetics during unexpected slip and trip perturbations, and during normal walking, among 12 participants (6F, 6M). Individual anthropometry, lumbar muscle geometry, and lumbar angles, along with electromyography from 14 lumbar muscles were used as input to a 3D, dynamic, EMG-based model of the lumbar spine. Results indicated that, in comparison with values during normal walking, lumbar range of motion, lumbosacral (L5/S1) loads, and lumbar muscle activations were all significantly higher during the slip and trip events. Maximum L5/S1 compression forces exceeded 2700 N during slip and trip events, compared with ~1100 N during normal walking. Mean values of L5/S1 anteroposterior (930 N), and lateral (800 N) shear forces were also substantially larger than the shear force during the normal walking (230 N). These observed levels of L5/S1 reaction forces, along with high levels of bilateral lumbar muscle activities, suggest the potential for overexertion injuries and tissue damage during unexpected slip and trip events, which could contribute to low back injuries. Outcomes of this study may facilitate the identification and control of specific mechanisms involved with low back disorders consequent to slips or trips.