Effect of vibration loads acting on different body regions on lumbar spine: A finite element study based on a whole-body model

Abstract

The effects of vehicle-induced whole-body vibration on human body have received widespread attention, and investigations have found that vibrations would cause lumbar disorders of occupational drivers. Some investigations have revealed the harmful effects of vibrations on human body, but the studies about the effect of vibration applied to different body regions on lumbar spine are limited. In this study, a whole-body finite element model was used to predict the biomechanical response of lumbar spine under vibrations applied to the back of thoracic and lumbar regions, and the bottom of buttock regions, respectively. The results showed that vibrations applied to the thoracic region would cause more intense spine motions, but the vibration applied to the lumbar region would cause higher internal forces, which might cause more injuries. The stress of lumbar spine would tend to increase after superimposed vertical vibration, and this increase might even more significant when the superimposed vibrations applied to the thoracic and buttock regions.