Effect of anteroposterior vibration frequency on the risk of lumbar injury in seated individuals.

ABSTRACT

Few studies investigate the impact of anterior-posterior excitation frequency on the time-domain vibrational response and injury risk of the lumbar spine in seated individuals. Firstly, this study utilised a previously developed finite element model of an upright seated human body on a rigid chair without a backrest to investigate the modes that affect the anterior-posterior vibrations of the seated body. Subsequently, transient dynamic analysis was employed to calculate the lumbar spine's time-domain responses (displacement, stress, and pressure) and risk factors under anteroposterior sinusoidal excitation at varying frequencies (1-8 Hz). Modal analysis suggested the frequencies significantly affecting the lumbar spine's vibration were notably at 4.7 Hz and 5.5 Hz. The transient analysis results and risk factor assessment indicated that the lumbar responses were most pronounced at 5 Hz. In addition, risk factor assessment showed that long-term exposure to 8 Hz vibration was associated with a greater risk of lumbar injury.

Although the anterior-posterior resonance frequency of the sitting body is around 1 Hz, the anterior-posterior vibrations approaching 5 Hz and at 8 Hz inflict more significant harm upon the lumbar spine than other frequencies, thereby elevating the risk of lumbar injury and back disorders.