Prediction of the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar spine under multi‐axis whole‐body vibration using a whole‐body finite element model

Low back pain has been reported to have a high prevalence among occupational drivers. Whole‐body vibration during the driving environment has been found to be a possible factor leading to low back pain. Vibration loads might lead to degeneration and herniation of the intervertebral disc, which would increase incidence of low back problems among drivers. Some previous studies have reported the effects of whole‐body vibration on the human body, but studies on the internal dynamic responses of the lumbar spine under multi‐axis vibration are limited. In this study, the internal biomechanical response of the intervertebral disc was extracted to investigate the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar spine under a multi‐axial vibration in a whole‐body environment. A whole‐body finite element model, including skin, soft tissues, the bone skeleton, internal organs and a detailed ligamentous lumbar spine, was used to provide a whole‐body condition for analyses. The results showed that both vibrations close to vertical and fore‐and‐aft resonance frequencies would increase the transmission of vibrations in the intervertebral disc, and vertical vibration might have a greater effect on the lumbar spine than fore‐and‐aft vibration. The larger deformation of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc in a multi‐axis vibration environment might contribute to the higher susceptibility of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc to injury. The findings of this study revealed the dynamic behaviours of the lumbar spine in multi‐axis vehicle vibration conditions, and suggested that both vertical and fore‐and‐aft vibration should be considered for protecting the lumbar health of occupational drivers. Both vibrations close to vertical and fore‐and‐aft resonance frequencies would increase the transmission of vibrations in the intervertebral disc, and vertical vibration might have a greater effect on the lumbar spine than fore‐and‐aft vibration. The larger deformation of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc in a multi‐axis vibration environment might contribute to the higher susceptibility of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc to injury.